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United  Brethren 
in  Christ 


Extracts  from  the  written 

journal  of  the  proceedings  ^^^ 

of  the  General  Conference  *|f 

of  the  United  Brethren  in  '^* 
%    Clirist,  from  1815  to  1875 

inclusive.  | 


3X9375 
.A5U5 


W  W,    »»*  A.XVJIV>     JU^Ak^ 


EXTRACTS       I   MAR  4  i92( 


PROM   THl 


Written  Journal  of  the  Proceedings 


General  Conference 


OP  THE 


United  Brethren  in  Christ, 


FROM  1815  TO  1873  INCLUSIVE. 


JOHN   A.   m'MAHON,   attorneys   POR   THK   "I4BERALS,"  AND   MESSRS. 

WILLIAM   LAWRENCH,   G.    W.   HOUK,   AND   YOUNG  &   YOUNG, 

ATTORNEYS    FOR    THE    "RADICALS." 


iMTTTRn    AS   F.VTnF.NOK    IN    ALL   CASES   WHEREIN    THESE  ATTORNEYS 
\KE   EMPLOYED. 


DAYTON,  OHIO: 

UXITKD    BRKTHREN    PUBLISHTVO    Hrii-HK, 

iSgo, 


EXTRACTS  f     MAR   4  iS2tJ 


PROM    THE 


Written  Joornal  of  the  Proceedings 

OP   THE 

General  Conference 


•?..■ 


United  Brethren  in  Christ, 


FROM  1815  TO  1873  INCLUSIVE. 


PRINTED    BY    MUTUAL    AGREEMENT    BETWEEN    MESSRS.    GUNCKEL    &    ROWE    AND 

JOHN    A.    m'mAHON,   ATTORNEYS   FOri   THE    "LIBERALS,"   AND   MESSRS. 

WILLIAM   LAWRENCE,    G.'W.    HOUK,    AND    YOUNG   &    YOUNG, 

ATTORNEYS    POR    THE    "  RADICALS." 


TO    BE   ADMITTED    AS    EVIDENCE    IN    ALL   CASES    WHEREIN    THESE   ATTORNEYS 

ARE   EMPLOYED. 


DAYTON,  OHIO: 
United  Brethren  Publishing  House, 


GENEKAL  CONEEKENCE  OF  1815. 

The  first  General  Conference  of  tlie  Clinrcli  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  was  held  June  6,  1815,  near  Mount  Plea- 
sant, Westmoreland  Co.,  Pennsylvania. 

The  delegates  elected  by  the  several  annual  conferences  were 

1  Christian  Newcomer  8  Henry  Spayth 

2  Abraham  Heistand  9  John  Snyder 

3  Andrew  Zeller  10  Abraham  Meyer 

4  Daniel  Tryer  ■  11  Henry  Kumler 

5  George  Benedum  12  Abraham  Draksel 

6  Christian  Crum  13  Christian  Berger 

7  Isaac  Niswander  14  Jacob  Bowlus. 

Bishop  Newcomer  in  the  chair. 

Abraham  Heistand  was  elected  chairman. 

Conference  was  opened  by  re'ading  the  5  chapter  of  1  Peter, 
singing  and  prayer,  after  which  conference  proceeded  to 
business. 

There  was  found  much  misunderstanding  and  prejudice  by 
some  of  the  brethren,  and  it  was  only  slowly  and  by  and  by, 
that  this  gave  way. 

A  letter  from  Christoph  Grosh  was  read,  as  coming  from  a 
conference  (so-called);  it  was  evident,  that  they  had  not  given 
the  matter  due  consideration. 

A  complaint  was  brought  by  Bro  Bonnet  against  Br  New- 
commer,  as  having  told  a  falshood.  A  committee  of  three  P 
Elders  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  case  and  it  was  found 
that  there  was  only  a  mistake  made  and  that  no  charges  what- 
ever could  be  found  against  Br  Newcomer. 

The  revision  of  the  confession  of  faith  and  rules  of  Discip- 
line of  the  church  were  attended  to,  some  small  alterations 
were  made  and  then  resolved  to  have  them  printed. 

Jacob  Bowlus,  Sedy. 


4  GENERAL    CONFERENCES   OF    1821,    1825. 

PAGES  K)  AND  17  OF  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  JOURNAL. 

SLAVERY. 

Eesolved,  That  in  no  sense  of  the  word  shall  slavery  in  whatsoever  form 
it  may  exist,  be  tolerated  in  our  church,  and  that  no  slaveholder  making 
application  for  membership,  shall  be  received,  and  that  if  any  member  be 
found  to  possess  slaves,  he  (or  she)  cannot  remain  a  member,  unless  he 
(or  she)  manumit  his  or  slaves  as  soon  as  notified  to  by  the  annual 
conference;  that  no  member  shall  have  the  previlege  of  selling  any  of  his 
slaves;  that  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  annual  conference  to  say 
whether  a  slaveholder  as  member  of  our  church  shall  have  the  previlege 
of  liiring  out  any  of  his  slaves,  and  for  how  long  a  tmie;  but  in  no  case 
shall  an  annual  conference  have  the  power  of  granting  to  any  slaveholder 
the  previlege  of  hiring  out  or  holding  any  of  his  slaves  for  any  longer  time 
than  until  such  slave  shall  by  his  labor  have  remunerated  his  master  for 
raising  or  purchasing  him. 

PAGE  17  OF  JOURNAL. 

Bro.  Beuedum  moved  that  no  preacher  shall  be  allowed  to 
carry  on  a  distillery. 

Bro.  Brown  moved  to  amend  the  motion  by  striking  out  the 
word  "preacher'"  and  inserting  the  word  "member." 

It  was  then  resolved  that  neither  preacher  nor  lay  member 
shall  be  allowed  to  carry  on  a  distillery. 

PAGE  18  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  That  if  a  member  openly  commits  an  offense  he  or  she  shall  be 
openly-reproved,  and  if  he  or  she  refuses  to  humble  himself  or  herself  he  or 
she  shall  ]>e  openly  expelled  from  the  church. 

GENEEAL   CONFEKENCE  JOURNAL,  1825. 
PAGE  19  OF  JOURNAL. 

At  the  opening  of  conference  Bro  Newcomer  read  the  25 
chap  of  ^Matthew  attended  with  singing,  prayer  and  an  exhorta- 
tion to  unfeigned  love  of  the  Brethren. 

Question.     AVhat  shall  be  the  first  business  of  conference? 

Answer.  The  revision  of  discipline  from  the  commence- 
ment, in  regular  order  to  the  end  of  it. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCES    OF    1<82.5,    1829.  5 

Sect  1  All  addition  to  the  first  section  was  moved  wliich 
was  referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of  Bros  John  George 
Pfrimer,  Henry  Kiimler,  Abraliam  Meyer,  John  Hildt  and 
George  Hnfifman. 

May  the  8th     Tlie  above  com  reported  as  follows; 

That  from  henceforth  it  shall  not  be  lawful  froni  one  preacher  to  cen- 
sure or  condemn  whether  in  private  or  in  public,  the  mode  of  baptism  of 
another,  and  whosoever  shall  make  himself  guilty  of  such  act  shall 
upon  discovery,  be  considered  a  defamer  and  be  held  accountable  to  next 
annual  conference. 

After  due  consideration  of  the  above  rex^ort  it  was  unani- 
mously adopted. 

PAGES  20  TO  21  OF  JOURXAL. 

At  the  examination  of  applicants  for  license  to  preach,  the 
questions  heretofore  put  to  such  shall  be  stricken  out  and  the 
following  proposed : 

Have  you  found  God  in  Christ  to  be  a  sin-pardoning,  and  yourself  experi- 
enced your  sins? 

Have  you  i^eaee  with  God.  and  is  the  love  of  God,  through  the  Holy 

Spirit,  shed  abroad  in  vour  heart? 

'  I" 

Do  you  follow  after  holiness? 

Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  Word  of  God.  and  that  therein  only  is 
contained  the  true  way  to  our  salvation? 

Upon  what  is  this  belief  founded? 

What  is  your  notion  for  desiring  permission  to  preach  the  Gospel? 

W^hat  is  your  knowledge  of  Repentance,  Justification,  Sanetification  and 
Redemption? 

PAGE  22  OF  JOURXAL. 

Resolved.  That  John  Hildt  and  Valentine  Doubt  see  to  having  our  dis- 
cipline, as  it  now  stands  revised,  printed. 

Question.  Who  shall  partake  of,  and  whom  shall  we  admit 
and  invite  to  the  Lord's  Supper? 

Answer.  First  all  true  Christians  and,  secondly,  all  who  are 
penitent,  seeking  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

GENEEAL  CONFEEENCE  OF  1829. 

PAGE  25  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved.  That  in  no  way  or  manner,  nor  in  any  sense  of  the  word, 
shall  Freemasonry  be  approved  or  tolerated  in  our  church;  and  that  should 
any  one  of  our  church  members,  who  may  now  be  a  Freemason  continue  to 


G 


GENERAL    CONFERENCES   OF    1829,    1833. 


attend  their  lodges,  or  as  a  Freemason  attend  and  take  part  in  their  pro- 
cession; or  if  he  joins  the  freemasons;  such  member  by  such  an  act  ex- 
cludes himself  from  membership  in  our  church. 

PAGE  26  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved.  That  hereafter,  none  of  our  brethren,  whether  a  preacher  or 
a  lay  member  shall  be  allowed  to  publish  a  book  or  pamphlet,  without  per- 
mission from  an  annual  conference. 


GENEKAL  CONFEEENCE  OF  1833. 

PAGE  29  OF  JOURNAL. 

May  14th  1833  the  members  of   the  General   Cou£  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  met  in  Ross  Co.,  O. 
There  were  present 


Henry  Kumler,  Bishop. 


Pennsylvania  Conference 
Ezekiel  Boring 
William  Brown 
Jacob  Erb 
James  Neiman 
Jacob  Snyder 
Frederick  Gilbert 

Virginia  Conference. 
William  R  Rhinehart 

Muskinyx ni  Conference 
Henry  G  Si)ayth 
John  Eckhart 
Adam  Hetsler 
Christian  Kengi 
S  C  Briggs 


Scioto  Conference 
John  Russel 
William  Hastings 
Jacob  Baulus 
James  Ross 
George  Benodum 
Samuel  Heistand 
Daniel  Davis 
John  Kuhns. 

Miami  Conf. 
Henry  Kumler  Jr 
Abram  S  Decker 
Jno  Fetterhoff 
David  Keiser 
Samuel  Hoffman 
George  Bonebrake 
Jno  Swearigen 


Indiana  Conference 
John  Denham 
Josiah  Davis 
James  Griffith 
Jno  McNamer 
Aaron  Farmer 
Francis  Whitcom. 


Bros  Rhinehart  and  Spayth  were  elected  secretaries. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1833.  7 

Resolved  1st  That  the  word  "flesh"  on  page  20  (Dicipline  1825)  be 
stricken  out,  and  the  word  " body "  be  inserted;  and  where  it  reads:  "the 
outward  means  of  grace,"  that  this  be  stricken  out  and  inserted;  "We 
beheve,  that  the  ordinance  of  Baptism  and  the  commemoration  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ "  etc 

Page  26  instead  of  "  two "  read  "  one  or  more  Bishops." 
Same  page — The  general  conference,  shall  in  no  way  or  manner,  alter  the 
Confession  of  faith  as  it  now  stands,  whether  by  adding  thereto  or  by 
taking  therefrom. 

PAGE  30  OF  JOURNAL. 

Page  24th.  Ques.  How  and  in  what  manner  shall  the  De- 
legates to  the  General  Conference  be  elected? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  annual  Conference,  at  its 
last  sitting  next  preceeding  the  ensuing  General  Conference,  to 
nominate  four  elders, — who  have  stood  in  that  capacity  two 
years, — from  which  number  two  shall  be  elected  by  the  breth- 
ren of  the  church.  It  shall  further  be  the  duty  of  each  annual 
conference,  to  appoint  two  brethren  resident  within  the  bounds 
of  said  conference  district,  as  tellers,  to  receive  and  count  the 
votes  polled  for  the  several  candidates. 

It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  class  leaders,  stewards,  or  preach- 
ers, directly  after  conference  to  obtain  a  list  of  the  proposed 
candidates  and  present  them  for  election  to  the  several  classes, 
and  after  such  election  they  shall  make  a  return  of  said  elec- 
tion to  the  tellers  appointed  who  in  the  presence  of  a  third 
brother  chosen  by  themselves,  shall  open  said  returns,  and 
after  having  counted  all  the  votes  returned,  present  the  two 
highest  in  votes,  under  their  own  hand,  with  a  certificate  of 
election:  In  case  of  a  tie,  these  three  brethren  shall  determine 
by  lot  who  shall  be  considered  elected. 

Ques.  Does  General  conference  possess  any  power  which 
an  annual  conf.  does  not? 

Ans.  Yes.  It  is  alone  in  the  power  of  General  Conference 
to  elect  from  among  the  elder  one  or  more  Bishops,  for  the 
ensuing  four  years,  and  to  make  such  provisions  as  may  be 
conducive  to  the  good  of  the  whole  church; 

Provided  however,  that  none  of  her  acts  shall  be  so  con- 
strued as  to  alter  the  confession  of  faith,  or  in  any  manner 
change  the  meaning,  spirit,  rules  and  regulations  of  our  dis- 
cipline, as  they  now  stand. 


8  GENERAL    CONFERENCES   OF    1833,    1837. 

PAGE  31  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  consecration  of  marriages  to  be  stricken  ont.  Section  7 
Ques  3d  strike  oat  "exliorter." 

PAGE  32  OF  JOURNAL. 

We  the  United  Brethren  in  conference  assembled,  believe 
that  swearing  by  the  Bil)le,  or  in  the  name  of  Almighty  God, 
is  contrary  to  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  says, 
"swear  not  at  all."  Affirmation  in  evidence,  where  desired  to 
speak  the  truth,  the  whole  truth  and  nothing  but  the  truth, 
we  consider  in  all  cases  sufficiently  binding  to  the  conscience 

H  G  Spayth 
W  K  Ehinehart 

Sccrciaries. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  PROCEEDINGS,  1887. 
PAGE  G5  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
convened  in  Germantown,  Montgomery  County  Ohio,  this  9th 
day  of  May  A  D  1837. 

A  very  pathetic  discourse  was  delivered  by  Bishop  Samuel 
Hiestand  at  the  opening  of  the  Conference,  after  which,  the 
15th  chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  was  read,  singing  and 
and  prayer  by  the  same. 

The  conference"  was  successively  opened  Avitli  reading,  sing- 
ing and  prayer, — prayer  at  each  adjournment. 

The  members  were  next  called  and  examined  as  to  the 
legality  of  their  election,  and  found  to  stand  as  follows; 

Henrv  Knniler  ) 

r,  '    1  XT    •    i        1         ^  Bislioiis 

Samuel  Heistand       '  ^ 

PernisjiJnoiia  Jacob  Erb 

Coiif  Jacob  Winters 

Va  Conf  Jacob  Rhineliart 

Jacob  Glossbrenner 

MiixkiiKiinii  Adam  Hetsler 

David  Weiiner 

Sdiidiisl,-!/  Jolin  Dorcas 

George  Iliskey 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1837. 


Scioto 

John  Coons 

Wm  Hanby 

Miami 

John  Featherhoff 

William  Stubbs. 

Indiana 

Francis  Whitconi  , 

John"  fiopp              ' 

Wabash 

Frederick  Kenoyer 

William  Davis 

Tlie  conference  then  elected  "William  E  Eliineliart  secretary 
of  tlie  Conference. 

A  motion  was  made  by  J  Rhinehart  that  a  committee  of 
ways  and  means  be  appointed  to  dispose  of  as  well  as  to  secure 
property  belonging  to  the  Church  of  the  U  B  in  Christ. 
Whereupon  the  following  persons  were  appointed 

viz    William  Stubbs 
'George  Hiskey 
J  J  Glossbrenner 

A  Constitution  was  next  presented  to  the  conference  b}^  Wm 
E  Eliineliart,  praying  its  adoption,  for  the  better  government 
of  the  church.  After  mature  deliberation  the  vote  was  taken 
and  carried,  that  its  expediency  be  considered  by  the  coiif. 
After  some  desultory  discussion,  the  following  resolution  was 
submitted  to  the  House  by  W  Hanl^y. 

Resolved.  That  a  Constitution  for  the  better  regulation  of  the  Church 
be  adopted. 

Which  on  vote  of  the  conference  carried. 

The  before  named  constitution  was  next  investigated  and 
adopted,  article  after  article  by  the  unanimous  vote,  and  signa- 
ture of  every  member  of  Conference. 

In  adoption  of  this  Constitution  the  conference  was  well  ap- 
prised, that  they  had  transcended  the  right  allowed  them  by 
discipline;  in  view  of  which  a  motion  presented  by  Bj)  Heist- 
and  that  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed,  to  write  and  present 
to  conference  now  in  session,  a  circular  in  relation  to  the  Con- 
stitution just  adopted;  informing  the  constituents  of  this  body, 
that  a  memorial  will  be  presented  to  the  next  Gen.  Conf.  pray- 
ing for  the  ratification  of  the  same,  according  to  article  4tli 
section  2d. 


10  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1837. 

A  motion  was  made  by  W  Haiiby  that  the  signing  of  the 
Constitution  be  postponed  nntil  ensuing  morning  at  8  o'clock, 
and  carried. 

A  motion  was  made  by  Geo  Hiskey,  that  all  the  Benevolent 
institutions  in  our  Church  come  iinder  the  control  of  the  Gen 
Conf ;  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  lay  down  rules  by  which  they 
shall  be  governed. 

The  vote  was  taken  and  carried. 

On  motion  of  Bp  Heistand,  Resolved  that  a  committee  of 
three  be  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  for  the  Printing 
establishment;  Whereupon  Jacob  Erb,  W  Hanby  and  J  Feath- 
erhoff  were  appointed. 

Bp  Heistand  presented  the  annual  report  of  the  Benevolent 
Societies. 

MARYLAND    B   SOCIETY — REPORT. 

Interest  on  Bank  Stock    -----  $94  50 

Surplus  dividend  from  May  last        -            -            -  47  25 

Interest  on  883.4:7  for  one  year     -            -            -            -  5  00 

Interest  from  life  Subscribers           -            -            .  22  00-    $168  95 

Amount  for  distribution  is  $168.95  as  above  stated.  Given  under  my 
hand  March  20th  A  D  1837. 

John  Hershey.  Treasurer. 

OHIO    B    SOCIETY.       REPORT 

Amt  of  notes        ---...        $775  16 

"     subscription  notes         .  -  .  .  310  00 

Jno  Hilts  note  of  hand    -----  200  00 

Stock  in  the  Treasury  -  -  -  .  10  00-  $1295  16 

Interest  received  and  for  distribution  $100.00.  Given  from  under  my 
hand  this  6th  day  of  May  1837. 

Joseph  Heistand  Sec. 

The  whole  amount  for  distribution  was  $268.95. 
On  motion  of  W  Hanby  the  constitution  was  signed  by  the 
members  of  conference — and  reads  as  follows 

CONSTITUTION  AND  PREAMBLE. 

PREAMBI^E. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  General  Conference  held  by  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  in  Gerniantown,  Ohio,  May  10,  1837,  it  was  resolved  that  a  constitu- 
tion should  be  formed  for  the  better  government  of  the  Church. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1837.  11 

We  as  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  in 
order  to  retain  a  perfect  union,  —  accompUsh  the  ends  of  Justice  and 
equity,~msuve  ecclesiastical  as  well  as  domestic  tranquility;  provide  for 
the  common  interest  of  the  C/i ;? re /i,— promote  the  general  ivelfare  of 
society,  and  to  secure  the  blessings  of  the  gospel  to  ourselves,  our  poster- 
ity, and  our  fellow  men  in  general;  ordain  and  establish  the  following- 
CONSTITUTION,  for  the  Church  aforesaid: 

ARTICLE    I. 

Sec.  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any 
rule  in  Discipline,  shall  be  vested  in  a  General  Conference,  which  shall 
consist  of  ministers  elected  by  the  members,  in  every  conference  district 
throughout  the  society.  Nevertheless  nothing  shall  be  done  so  as  to 
change  the  article  of  faith  or  in  anywise  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.  2.  No  minister  shall  be  considered  eligible  for  election  until  he  has 
stood  in  the  capacity  of  elder  for  the  term  of  three  years,  having  main- 
tained a  good  moral  character  during  that  time.  Any  elder  receiving  a 
transfer  from  one  conference  to  another,  shall  not  be  considered  eligible 
for  election  under  a  term  of  two  years,  and  not  then  without  a  sufficient 
recommendation  from  the  conference  of  which  he  had  been  a  member. 

Sec.  3.  The  number  of  delegates  from  each  conference  district  shall  not 
exceed  one  for  every  five  hundred  members.  But  should  it  so  happen  that 
a  conference  would  be  formed  in  a  territory  not  having  five  hundred  mem- 
bers within  its  district,  that  conference  shall  nevertheless  have  one  delegate 
to  represent  its  members  in  General  Conference. 

Sec.  4.  If  any  vacancies  should  occur  through  sickness  or  otherwise, 
after  the  election  of  delegates,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  or 
elders  immediately  to  notify  the  next  highest  on  the  list  of  votes  that  he  is 
now  a  member  to  represent  that  district  in  the  ensuing  General  Conference. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  upon  all  occasions  be  considered  members  of 
the  General  Conference,  to  preside  as  the  organs  of  that  body  as  in  annual 
conferences.  Bishops  shall  be  elected  every  four  years,  during  the  sitting 
of  the  General  Conference,  by  the  members  thereof,  from  among  the 
elders  throughout  the  Church,  who  may  have  stood  in  that  capacity  for  a 
term,  not  less  than  six  years. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  be  held  once  every  four  years. 
At  the  adjournment  of  which  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  same  to  publish 
or  cause  to  be  published  ( excepting  such  parts  as  may  not  be  considered 
expedient)  all  their  proceedings,  for  the  benefit  of  society  in  general. 

ARTICLE   II. 

Sec.  1.  The  members  in  each  conference  district  shall  solely  have  the 
privilege  of  choosing  and  electing  the  delegates  to  General  Conference, 
which  shall  invariably  be  done  at  least  three  months  [previous]  to  the 
sitting  of  the  same. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  election  of  delegates  for  General  Conference,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  each  annual  conference  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three,  in 
thetr  several  conference  districts,  to  receive  and  count  the  votes,  and  im- 
mediately apprise  those  who  may  have  been  elected. 


12  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1837. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  annual  conference  to  furnish  the 
presiding  elders  with  a  list  of  all  the  elders  eligible  for  election.  The  pre- 
siding elders  shall  furnish  each  circuit-preacher  in  charge,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  furnish  each  class-leader  or  steward  throughout  the  circuit  with 
a  copy  of  the  same. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class- leader  or  steward  to  appoint 
a  meeting  of  the  members  of  each  class,  for  the  purpose  of  electing,  by 
ballot  or  otherwise,  one  or  more  delegates  to  represent  them  in  General 
Conference. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class-leader  or  steward  to  sign, 
enclose  and  seal  each  bill  of  election,  hand  it  over  to  the  preacher  in 
charge;  he  again  to  the  presiding  elder,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  transmit 
the  same  to  the  committee  appointed  by  the  annual  conference. 

Sec.  6.  The  committee  appointed  to  receive  and  count  the  votes  shall 
make  a  list  of  all  the  persons  voted  for  and  the  number  of  votes  for  each. 
Should  any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have  an  equal  number  of  votes, 
the  invividuals  thus  appointed  shall  determine  by  lot  who  or  which  of 
them  are  elected.  They  shall  also  forward  the  names  of  those  elected  to 
the  conference  printing  establishment  for  publication. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Sec.  1.  Each  annual  conference  shall  come  fully  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  General  Conference,  except  under  such  regulations  as  the  General 
Conference  may  deem  expedient  in  relation  to  local  matters,  so  as  not  to 
prove  i^rejudicial  to  the  interest  of  the  whole  society. 

Sec.  2.  The  business  of  each  annual  conference  shall  strictly  be  done 
according  to  Discipline. 

Sec.  3.  Any  annual  conference  acting  in  violation  of  the  doings  of 
General  Conference,  shall,  by  impeachment,  be  tried  by  the  same. 

Sec.  4.  No  annual  conference  shall  have  the  exclusive  right  to  form  or 
admit  new  conference  within  the  bounds  of  society,  without  the  consent 
of  the  General  Conference. 

Sec.  5.  All  officers,  whether  bishops,  presiding  elders,  etc.,  shall,  on 
impeachment,  be  dealt  with  according  to  Discipline,  as  other  members, 
expelled  or  retained,  as  the  case  may  require. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Sec.  1.  If  at  any  time  after  passing  of  this  constitution  it  should  be 
contemplated  either  to  alter  or  amend  the  same,  it  shall  be  the  privilege 
of  any  member  in  society  to  publish  or  cause  to  be  published  such  contem- 
plation at  least  three  months  before  the  election  of  delegates  to  the  General 
Conference. 

Sec.  2.  No  General  Conference  shall  luive  the  jjower  to  alter  or  amend 
the  foregoing  constitution,  except  it  be  by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  that  body. 

RE.SOLUTIONS. 

Inasmuch  as  it  is  the  indefeasible  right  of  every  man  to  think  and  act 
for  liimself  in  matters  of  faith  and  morality,  this  right  not  only  being 
granted  l)y  the  charter  of  iiis  creation,  hut  also  l)y  the  Discipline  adopted 


GENEUAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1837.  13 

for  the  better  government  of  the  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ; 
be  it  resolved,  therefore — 

1st.  That  no  rule  be  adopted  by  General  Conference  so  as  to  infringe 
upon  the  rights  of  any,  as  it  relates  to  the  mode  and  manner  of  Baptism, 
the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  the  washing  of  feet,  etc. 

2d.  Resolved,  No  rule  or  ordinance  shall  be  passed  in  General  Confer- 
ence so  as  to  deprive  the  local  preachers  of  the  eligibility  of  election  as 
delegates  to  the  same.  Nor  yet  to  deprive  them  of  their  legal  vote  in  the 
annual  conference  to  which  they  severally  belong. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolutions  shall  neither  be  altered  or 
repealed  without  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  whole  conference. 

Done  in  General  Conference  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  that  body,  this 
11th  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty-seven.     In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  names. 

H  KuMLER,  I  T,;  1  George  Hiskey. 

Samuel  Hiestand,  )  ^isnop^.        j^^^^  Coons. 

Jacob  Erb.  William  Hanby. 

Jacob  Winter.  Jno.  Featherhofp. 

Jacob  Rhinehart.  W^illlam  Stubbs. 

J  J.  Glossbrenner.  Francis  Whitcom. 

Adam  Hetzler.  John  Lopp. 

David  Weimer.  Fred.  Kenoyer, 

John  Dorcas.  William  Davis. 

CIRCULAR. 

To  the  Members  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  through- 
out the  United  States: 

Dear  brethren,  by  whose  authority  we,  as  a  General  Conference,  have 
been  authorized  to  legislate  on  matters  pertaining  to  the  government  of  our 
church,  and  having  long  since  been  convinced  of  the  great  necessity  of  a 
constitution  for  the  better  regulation  thereof,  have,  by  unanimous  consent, 
framed  and  established  the  foregoing.  We  are  well  aware  that  we  have 
transcended  the  bounds  given  by  our  Discipline,  which  will  be  found  in 
the  constitution,  Article  IV.,  Section  2,  declaring  that  this  constitution 
can  neither  be  altered  or  amended  without  a  majority  of  two  thirds  of  a 
General  Conference.  If  there  had  been  a  general  notice  given  to  the 
Church  previous  to  the  election  of  delegates  that  there  would  be  a  memo- 
rial offered  to  General  Conference,  praying  them  to  adopt  a  constitution, 
and  to  ratify  it  agreeable  to  Article  IV.,  Section  2,  then  the  General  Con- 
ference would  have  had  full  power  to  have  done  so.  The  object  of  this 
circular  is  (feeling  that  the  government  of  our  church  is  not  as  firm 
as  it  ought  to  be )  to  give  notice  to  our  church  throughout  the  Union  that 
we  intend  to  present  a  memorial  to  the  next  General  Conference,  praying 
them  to  ratify  the  constitution  now  adopted,  according  to  Article  IV., 
Section  2,  in  testimony  of  our  ardent  desire  for  the  welfare  of  our  church^ 
and  the  general  spread  of  the  gospel. 

Written  by  order  of  General  Conference,  Germantown,  Ohio,  May  12th 
1837.  ^ 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  same,  by 

William  R.  Rhinehart,  Sec'y- 

/ 


14  GENERAL    CONFEEENCE    OF    1837. 

PAGE  li  OF  JOURNAL. 

A  motion  was  made  by  "Wm  Hanby  that  a  new  edition  of  the 
discipline  be  printed  forthwith  and  that  conference  direct  the 
number,  which  is  as  follows. 


Pa  Con        1000  Eng,  and  1000  Ger. 


Va    " 

500    " 

200    '' 

Musk 

500     " 

50    " 

Wabash  ' 

•     180  E 

20  Ger 

Scioto 

2000    " 

300    " 

Sandus 

800 

200 

Ind 

800 

200 

Total 
5780  Eng 
1970  Ger 


7750 


PAGE  75  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  of  J  Erb  it  was  ordered  that  2000  German  discip- 
lines be  printed  immediately. 

The  conference  next  proceeded  to  examine  discipline. 

Alterations  ^ 

to  [•  See  discipline. 

Dis         ) 

PAGE  76  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  com.  on  ways  and  means,  presented  an  article  respecting 
the  building  of  Meeting  houses,  and  the  order  to  be  observed, 
and  on  motion  adopted. 

Q  To  whom  are  our  meeting  houses  and  the  premises  belong 
to -them,  to  be  deeded? 

Ans.  To  a  board  of  trustees  and  their  successors  in  office  as 
the  property  of  the  Church  of  the  U  B,  in  Christ. 

PAGE  77  OF  JOURNAL. 

Note.  The  trustees  will  be  careful  in  all  cases  to  have  deeds 
of  conveyance  legally  executed  and  recorded  in  the  county  re- 
cords where  the  property  is,  that  is,  to  have  the  deed  made  to 
them  and  their  successors  in  office  in  trust  for  the  Church  of 
the  U.  B.  in  Christ  and  they  will  erect  and  build,  or  cause  to 
be  built  a  house  of  worship,  for  the  use  of  the  members  of  the 
said  church,  according  to  the  rules  of  disciiDline,  which  may 
from  time  to  time  be  adopted  by  the  church. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1841.  15 

PAGE  78  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  W  E  Khineliart  and  W  Hanby  were  appointed  to 
prepare  the  Discipline  for  print,  and  J  Eussel  was  appointed 
to  translate  the  discipline  into  the  German  Language  and  S 
Heistand  to  examine  the  translation. 

GENEEAL  CONFEEENCE  OF  1841. 
PAGE  80  OF  JOURNAL. 

Pursuant  to  appointment  the  general  conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  met  at  Dresbacks  M.  H.  Pickaway 
Co.,  O.  on  the  10  day  of  May  1841. 

There  were  present  from 

Pennsylvania  Conf 

J  Russel  H  Kumler  sr  ^  g.  , 

J  Roop  J  Erb.  ) 

Va 
J  J  Glossbrenner 
W  R  Coursey 

Muskingum  Conf 
Alexander  Biddle 
James  McGaw  , 

Sandusky  Conf  Allehgany  Conf 

H.  G.  Spayth  Jacob  Ritter 

Geo.  Hiskey  Geo.  Miller 

Scioto  Conf 

Wm  Hastings  Miami  Conf 

Jno  Coons  H  Kumler  Jr 

J  Montgomery  .  *  Francis  Whitcom 

E  Vandemark 

Indiana  Conf 

Wabash  Conf  Henry  Bonebrake 

Josiah  Davis  J  A  Ball 

Wm  Davis  j  G  Eckles 

All  the  members  were  present  except  Eev  G  Bonebrake  of 
Miami  Conference,  whose  ill  health  prevented  his  attendance. 

The  conference  was  opened,  by  Bishops  Kumler  and  Erb. 
The  1st  chap  of  Collossians  was  read  and  singing  and  prayer. 

On  motion,  J  Slonacker,  was  elected  the  German  and  J 
Montgomery  the  English  secretary. 

After  prayer  adjourned  till  |  past  one  o'clock. 


16  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1841. 

PA.GE  80-54  OF  JOURNAL. 

May  11th,  Conference  met  and  after  devotional  exercises 
l)roceeded  to  business. 

On  motion  the  secretary  proceeded  to  read  discipline.  Vari- 
ous remarks  of  much  interest  were  made  by  H  G  Spaythe  and 
(J  Banhis  a  visitor  to  conference). 

On  motion  the  resolution  touching  the  Ed.  and  trustees  of 
E.  T.  [Religious  Telescope^  was  called  up,  and  laid  on  the 
table  for  a  third  reading.     Conf.  adjourned  in  the  usual  order. 

AFTERNOON    SESSION. 

Conf  met.     Prayer  by proceeded  to  business. 

The  motion — Ed,  and  trustees  read  the  3d  time  and  carried — 

The  motion,  on  yeas  and  nays  read  the  3d  time — and  was  lost. 

A  motion  was  offered  by  E  Yandemark  that  a  constitution 
for  the  better  government  of  the  church  be  adopted,  much  dis- 
cussion ensued. 

After  prayer  conf  adjourned. 

May  12th — Conf.  met  and  after  the  usual  order  proceeded  to 
business. 

Petitions  called  for,  and  one  from  C  Kneagy  was  presented 
praying  for  some  alteration  on  church  trials. 

On  motion  the  unfinished  business  of  yesterday  was  called  for. 

The  motion  for  a  constitution  was  called  up.  A  spirited  dis- 
cussion ensued  —  the  vote  taken  —  it  carried  in  favor  of  a  cons- 
titution    Yeas  15,  Nays  7. 

On  motion  of  J  Coons  a  committee  of  nine  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  constitution,  [  Page  80  Journal  ]  AVhereupon  J  Russel 
J  J  Glossbrenner  Geo  Miller  Alex  Biddle  H  G  Spaythe  J 
Montgomery,  W  Davis  H  Bonebrake  and  H  Kumler  Jr,  were 
appointed,  (  one  from  each  conf.  district ) — by  ballot. 

Conf.  adjourned  till  the  committee  should  be  ready  to  report. 

AFTEIINOON   SESSION. 

Conference  met,  4  o'clock, — prayer  by Constitution 

committe  made  report,  which  being  distinctly  read  twice  on 
motion  was  laid  on  the  table  till  tomorrow  morning. 

On  motion  after  prayer  adjourned. 


GENERAL  CONFEKENCE  OF  1841.  17 

May  13th. 
Conference  met,  after  prayer,  the  constitution  was  read  the 
3d  time  by  sections  and  adopted  — In  the  words  following  viz  — 

CONSTITUTION, 

We,  the  members  of  the  Church  op  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
in  the  name  of  God,  do  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  as  well  as  to  produce  and 
secure  a  uniform  mode  of  action,  in  faith  and  practice,  as  also  to  define  the 
powers  and  the  business  of  quarterly,  annual,  and  general  conferences,  as 
recognized  by  the  Church,  ordain  the  following  articles  of  constitution: 

article  I. 

Sec.  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any 
rule  of  discipline,  is  vested  in  a  general  conference,  which  shall  consist  of 
elders,  elected  by  the  members  in  every  conference  district  throughout  the 
society:  provided,  however,  such  elders  shall  have  stood  in  that  capacity 
three  years,  in  the  conference  district  to  which  they  belong. 

Sec.  2.  General  Conference  is  to  be  held  every  four  years:  the  bishops 
to  be  considered  members  and  presiding  officers. 

Sec,  3.  Each  annual  conference  shall  place  before  the  society  the  names 
of  all  the  elders  eligible  to  membership  in  the  General  Conference. 

ARTICLE    II. 

Sec.  1.  The  General  Conference  shall  define  the  boundaries  of  the 
annual  conferences.  ' 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall,  at  every  session,  elect  bishops 
from  among  the  elders  throughout  the  Church,  wlio  have  stood  six  years 
in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  of  each  annual  conference  shall  be  done  strictly 
according  to  Discipline;  and  any  annual  conference  acting  contrary  there- 
unto, shall,  by  impeachment,  be  tried  by  the  General  Conference. 

Sec.  4.  No  rule  or  ordinance  shalfat  any  time  be  passed,  to  change  or 
do  away  the  Confession  of  Faith  as  it  now  stands,  nor  to  destroy  the  itin- 
erant plan. 

Sec.  5.  There  shall  no  rule  be  adopted  that  will  infringe  upon  the  rights 
of  any  as  it  relates  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  or  the  washing  of  feet. 

Sec.  6.  There  shall  no  rule  be  made  that  will  deprive  local  preachers  of 
their  votes  in  the  annual  conferences  to  which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  7.  There  shall  be  no  connection  with  secret  combinations,  nor  shall 
involuntary  servitude  be  tolerated  in  any  way. 

Sec.  8.     The  right  of  appeal  shall  be  inviolate. 

ARTICLE   III. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  property,  whether  consisting 
in  lots  of  ground,  meeting-houses,  legacies,  bequests  or  donations  of  any 
kind,  obtained  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or  persons,  for  the 


18  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1841. 

use  benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  hereby  fully 
recognized  and  held  to  be  the  property  of  the  Chuerh  aforesaid. 


ARTICLE    IV. 


There  shall  be  no  alteration  of  the  foregoing  constitution,  unless  by 
request  of  two  thirds  of  the  whole  society. 

May  19.  1841. 
On  motion  of  J  Bx^ssel  — Resolved  that  any  one  proposing  an 
additional  section  to  the  new  constitution  must  present  it  to  the 
committee  who  drafted  the  constitution  for  them  to  report  to 
conference,  and  if  favorable  on  vote  of  conference,  during  the 
present  session  only,  may  be  added  to  the  constitution. 

PACxE  82  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  conference  adjourned. 

Afternoon  session— proceeded  to  the  revision  of  discipline. 

On  motion  of  J  J  Glossbrenner  that  the  phrase  in  1  Para- 
graph in  discipline  read  "in  the  18th  century"  instead  of 
"century  last  past"  and  instead  of  saying  "at  this  time"  read 
"al)out  the  middle  of  said  century."     Carried. 

On  motion  H.  G.  Spaythe,  Resolved  that  3d  paragraph  read 
"amongst  others  he  raised  up  AYm.  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm 
in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  G.  A.  Gheeting  of  Md,  armed 
them,"  etc.     (Carried.) 

On  motion  of  E  Vandemark,  Resolved  that  the  word  "itself" 

in  2  line  4  page  be  struck  out. 

On'  motion  there  shall  be  a  transposition  on  the  1st  break 
line,  5  page  so  as  to  read,  "Paradise  Township,  York  Co,"  and 
that  "Jno  Pfrimmer"  read  J  G  Prefmer  and  "Benedict  San- 
der" read  Sander. 

On  motion  the  word  on  6th  page  14th  line  be  struck  out, 

also  on  7th  page  1  P  the  words  between  "elected"  and  "who" 

be  placed  in  a  parenthesis. 

Conference  adjourned. 

May  14th. 

On  motion  of  J  Russel,  that  the  circular  on  page  16  and  17 
be  expunged — also  the  circular  on  page  53.  10  o'clock  accord- 
ing to  a  previous  resolution  (being  fast  day)  Preaching  com- 
menced by  the  Eev  A  Biddle. 


GENKRAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1841.  19 

Afternoon— on  motion  of  E  Vandemark  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  adopt  measures  better  to  sustain  the  Itinerant 
plan.  Whereupon,  J.  Eussel,  A  Biddle,  H  Kumler,  H  G 
Spayth,  and  H  Bonebrake  was  appointed  said  committee. 

On  motion.  E  Vandemark,  G  Hiskey,  W  Davis,  W.  R.  Cour- 
sey  and  J  Montgomery  were  constituted  a  committee  to  draft 
rules  regulating  Quarterly  Conferences,  and 

Conference  adjourned. 

PAGE  83  OP  JOURNAL. 

Monday  May  17th  conference  met— after  prayer  proceeded 
to  business. 

On  motion  J  Slonecker  and  J  Montgomery  were  aj^pointed 
to  prepare  the  Discipline  for  the  press. 

On  motion  Resolved  that  the  discipline  shall  be  printed  in 
the  following  order. 

1st  The  Origin  2d  Confession  of  Eaith  3  Constitution  4th 
Gen  Conference  5  Annual  Conference  6  Q  Conference  7th 
Members. 

J  J  Glossbrenner  moved  the  article  on  making  and  vending 
ardent  spirits  be  so  altered  and  amended  as  to  embrace  lay 
members. 

On  motion  of  H  Kumler  it  was  laid  on  the  table.  And 
Conference  adjourned. 

PAGE  86  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  Resolved  that  this  Conference  make  a  selection 
of  Theological  Works  with  other  instructial  Books  to  be  read. 
Wliereupon  J  Eussel,  J  Coons.  W  R  Coursey.  A  Biddle  &  J 
Hoop  were  apj^ointed. 

Afternoon  —  The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Course  of 
Reading  was  presented  and  the  following  A¥orks  were  recom- 
mended, viz. 

PAGE  87  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  delegates  asked  the  number  of  Disciplines  for  their 
respective  conferences  as  follows 

Va  Conference  300  English    25  Ger 

Pa  "  300        "        300    " 

Allegheny  "  300        "  25    " 


20 


GENERAL    CONFERRNCE    OV    1845. 


Muskingum  Conference  400  Englisli  25  Ger 

Sandusky  "  300        "  50    " 

Scioto  "  400        "  50    " 

Miami  "  300        "  50    " 

Ind  "  300        "  50    " 

Wabash  "  200  25    " 


Conference  adjourned. 


J  Montgomery 
J  Slonecker 


Secretaries. 


GENEEAL  CONFEEENCE  OF  1845. 
PAGE  88  OF  JOUKNAL. 


Pnrsnant  to  appointment 
Conference  of  the  IT.  B.  I. 
These  were  present 


CiRCLEViLLE  May  12,  1815. 

the  delegates  elected  to  the  General 
C.  met. 


Rev  H  Kumler  Sr 

H  Kumler  Jr  [-  Bishops. 


and 


r  br  \ 
■r  Jr  - 
Jno  Coons       ' 


Va  Conference 
Rev  J  J  Glossbrenner 
"   J  Markwood 
"    JBac.-htel 

Pa,  Con. 
"    J  Russel 
"    J  S  Kesler  and 
"    S  Dresback  were  absent 

Alletjhanij  Con 
"    J  R  Sitman 
"    JRitter 
"    Jno  Rider 

Mustkimjnm  Con. 
•'    A  Biddle 
"    JMcGaw 
"    W  W  Simpkins. 

]\'((l>(isli  (Jon 
"  Jno  Hoobler 
"  Josiah  Davis 
"    Jno  Denhani 


Scioto  Co  life  )'c  nee 
Rev  E  Vandemark 
"    J  Montgomery 
'•    M  Ambrose 

Scoiditfikj/  Con 
."    HG.  Spaythe 
"    Geo.  Hiskey 
"    J.  Brown 

Miami  Conference 
"    (ieo  Bonebrake 
"    Jno  Crider 
"    Francis  Wliitcom 

Ind  Con. 
"    D  Bonebrake 
"    Jas  A  Ball 
one  absent. 


Conference  was  calkMl  to  order,  and  opent'd  by  13ro  H  Kum- 
ler Jr  l)y  reading  the  12  chap  of  Eom.  Singing  and  prayer, 
after  which  an  address  was  delivered  by  Bro  J  Coons. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1845.  21 

H  G  Spaytli  and  J  Montgomery  were  elected  secretaries. 
Conference  adjourned. 

AFTERNOON   SESSION. 

Con  met— iDrayer,  after  which  the  following  rules  of  order 
were  adopted. 

Rule  1st.  The  conference  shall  meet  at  8  o'clock  A  M,  and 
1  o'clock  P  M,  and  continue  7  hours  each  day— three  and  a  half 
A  M,  three  and  a  half  P  M.  The  eldest  Bishop  shall  take  the 
chair  the  1st  day,  the  second  eldest  the  next  day,  and  so  on; 
each  Bp  to  sit  one  day  at  a  time  until  the  final  adjo.urnment  of 
said  conference.  On  the  appearance  of  a  cpiorum,  consisting 
of  two  thirds  of  the  members  the  Bp  shall  call  the  conference 
to  order,  and  after  prayer  proceed  to  business. 

PAGE  90  OF  JOURXAL. 

Indiana  Conference  disin'ci.  ^Y  J  Steward  appeared  claim- 
ing a  seat  as  a  delegate  from  said  district,  and  it  appearing 
upon  examination  of  the  validity  of  the  claim  of  said  W  J 
Steward,  conference  Eesolved,  that  whereas  by  the  statement 
made  by  said  Steward  to  this  confe^-ence,  that  he  did  not  con- 
sider himself  a  member  of  said  conference  district  at  this  time, 
and  whereas,  according  to  our  church  constitution  none  but 
actual  members  of  an  annual  conference  for  the  time  being, 
can  properly  be  delegates  to  General  Conference 

Eesolved  therefore,  for  the  reason  above  stated,  said  Steward 
is  not  entitled  to  a  seat  in  this  Conference. 

Likewise,  in  the  case  of  Aaron  Davis,  from  the  same  district, 
it  appearing  to  the  satisfaction  of  this  Conference  that  he  had 
not  stood  as  an  elder  for  three  successive  years  previous  to  the 
election  of  Delegates  to  this  Gen.  Con.  hence  according  to  the 
constitution  above  referred  to,  his  election  having  not  been 
according  to  discipline,  he  cannot  act  as  a  delegate  in  this 
Conference.   . 

Conference  after  prayer  adjourned  to  8  o'clock  to-morrow 
morninu'. 


22  GENERAL    CONFERENCE   OF    1845. 

Tuesday  May  13tb. 

Conference  met  and  opened  by  prayer. 

Order  of  the  day; — A  petition  from  Indiana  conference  from 
Fall  Creek  circuit,  asking  conference  not  to  alter  our  Confession 
of  .faith  on  the  doctrine  of  "depravity";  Nor  the  constitution 
as  it  now  stands  in  our  book  of  discipline. 

PAGE  91  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  of  J  Hitter.  Resolved  that  the  conference  revise 
the  discipline  as  it  passes  in  the  reading  thereof. 

On  motion  of  J  J  Glossbrenner.  Bcsolrcd  that  in  view  of  the 
constitution  this  General  Conference  has  no  right  to  revise, 
alter  or  amend  the  confession  of  faith  as  it  now  stands. 

The  yeas  &  nays  on  the  question 

Yeas  Glossbrenner,  Markwood,  Bechtel,  Reider,  Vandemark,  Spayth 
Hiskey,  G  Bonebrake,  H  Bonebrake,  J  Davis,  Kumler  Jr,  Crider,  Brown, 
Sinipkins  and  Whitcom — 15. 

Ndi/s  Russel,  Ritter,  Biddle,  Montgomery,  Ambrose,  Ball,  McGaw  and 
Sitman.    8 

The  reason  assigned  for  the  vote  in  the  negative  but  a  change 
of  certain  expressions  not  fully  explanatory. 

Adjourned. 

PAGE  92  OF  JOURNAL. 

Afternoon  Session  —  Prayer  by  H  Bonebrake.  Kevision  of 
Discipline  continued. 

Revision.  Page  19.  13tli  line.  Moved  by  J  A  Ball,  sec- 
onded by  W  AV  Simpkins  that  the  word  "depravity"  be  struck 
out.     After  some  discussion  the  yeas  and  nays  being  called  — 

Yeas  W  W  Simpkins.  H  G  Spaytli,  J  Brown,  Bonebrake  J  Hubler,  and 
J  Denham,  6. 

Nai/H.  J  J  Glossbrenner,  J  Markwood,  J  Bechtel  J  Russel,  J  R  Sitman, 
J  Ritter,  J  R«ider,  A  Biddle  J  McGaw,  E  Vandemark,  J  Montgomery,  M 
Amljrose,  G  Hiskey,  G  Bonebrake,  J  Crider.  F  Whitcom,  J  A  Ball,  Jos. 
Davis,  II  Kumler  Jr  and  J  Coons  20. 

Page   19  last  p.  on   motion  of  E  Vandemark   referred  to  a 
standing  committe 
Prayer  by  G  Hiskey. 
Adjourned. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1849. 


23 


PAGE  102  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  that  H  G  Spayth  be  employed  as  an  agent  to 
collect,  and  write  out  a  concise  History  of  the  rise  and  advance 
of  the  Church  of  the  U.  B.  in  C,  the  present  year,  and  report 
to  the  Sandusky  and  Scioto  Annual  Conferences — to  be  paid 
for  time  and  expenses  merely,  yet  if  it  be  approved,  shall  be 
allowed  a  reasonable  compensation.  Resolved,  that  1000  Ger- 
man disciplines  be  printed  for  the  use  of  our  German  mem- 
bers. Whereupon  Conference  directed  that  H  G  Spayth  be 
employed  to  translate  the  discipline  into  the  German,  and  ^Y 
Hanby  direct  the  printing  and  binding. 

H  G  Spayth       [ 


J  Montgomery 


Secretaries. 


GENEEAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1849. 
PAGE  105  OF  JOURNAL. 

1849.  The  General  Conference  of  the  U  B  In  C  met  at 
Germontown,  Montgomery  Co,  Ohio,  on  Monday  the  14th  day 
of  May 

And  there  were  present, 

Revd  Jno  Russel  "\ 

"      J  J  Glossbrenner  and  >  Bishops 


Va  Conference    J  J  Markwood 
J  Bachtel 


E  Pa 


West  Pa 


Alleglianij  " 


H  Burtner 

CPefly 
J  Roop 
D  Gingerich 

JErb 

G  Miller 
JFohl 

J  B  Resler. 
W  Beishel 


William  Hanby 

DELEGATES. 

Muskingaui  ' 
Sand  ask  1/  ' 
Scioto  ' 


3 


2Iia)ni 


Indiana  Conf     H  Bonebrake 

L  S  Chittenden 
J  Lopp 


S.  C  Steward 
A  S  Wade 
J  Todd 

A  Spracklin 
J  C  Bright 
H  G  Spaythe 

J  Montgomery 
D  Edwards 

M  Ambrose 

W  R  Rhinehart 

W  Davis 

H  Kumler  Jr 


24  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1849. 

White  River  "    D  Stover 

W  W  Richardson 
C  W  Witt 
J  Thomas 

St  JofiepJi        "    J  M  Hershey 
E  H  Lamb 
Jas  Griffith 

Wdbasli  "    J  P  Shuey 

J  Hoobler 

Illinois  "    J  Terrel 

PAGE  107  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  that  the  discipline  be  read  and  revised  and  W  Davis  read  it. 

Resolved  that  in  future  No.  of  Edition  be  omitted. 

Resolved  that  epithet  "  Menonist "  be  written  as  the  best  modern  his- 
torians write  it. 

On  motion  in  the  name  of  Dracksel  D  was  changed  to  T  and  Daniel 
Treyer  be  written  D  Treyer. 

On  motion  of  Bright  and  Markwood,  Ecsolrcd  that  a  clause 
be  inserted  in  discipline  (confession  of  faith)  expressing  our 
view  of  future  endless  punishment,  and  on  motion  J  J  Gloss- 
breuner  it  was  indefinitely  laid  on  the  table. 

PAGE  108  OF  JOURNAL. 

AFTERNOON   SESSION. 

Prayer  by 

Resolved  That  a  committee  of  two  be  api)ointed  to  draft  a  circular  ask- 
ing the  members  of  our  church  to  authorize  the  next  Gen  Con,  so  to  amend 
the  second  item  on  page  13  as  to  read,  "  We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian 
church,  the  communion  of  saints  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  life  ever- 
lasting, and  eternal  death.     Laid  on  the  table. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  constitution  of  our  church  is  illegal  Therefore, 
Resolved,  that  it  be  expunged.     Markwood  and  Bachtel. 

Motion  was  lost  yeas  and  nays  called  —  all  the  members  voted 
in  the  negative  but  the  mover  and  second,  and  Burtner. 
4  o'clock  ])rayer      adjourned. 

S.  C.  Steward  presented  a  petition  praying  for  a  lay  delega- 
tion which  was  referred  to  the  proper  Com. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1849.  25 

PAGE  112  OF  JOURNAL. 

Committee  on  Petitions  reported  that  witli  due  regard  to  the 
wishes  of  those  of  our  Brethren  who  may  desire  a  lay  delega- 
tion after  duly  considering  their  request,  we  believe  such  a 
measure  would  be  altogether  inexpedient. 

A  S  Wade      )  ^ 
J  Maekwood  \  ^'"" 

PAGE  114  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved,  that  J.  Montgomery  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  purchase  a 
well  bound  blank  book  containing  some  ten  or  twelve  quires  of  paper  and 
make  a  regular  record  of  all  the  i^roceedings  of  past  General  Conferences 
as  far  as  possible,  together  with  the  proceedings  of  this  Gen.  Conference, 
and  that  he  be  paid  a  reasonable  compensation  for  his  services  out  of  the 
funds  of  the  Telescope  office,  and  the  book  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  funds 
of  this  conference. 

(Carried)  Hanby — Hershey. 

PAGE  117  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  that  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  be  administered 
during  our  stay  in  this  place  at  such  time  as  is  considered  most  practicable 
by  the  Bishops.  (Laid  on  table.)  Fohl  &  Griffith. 

PAGE  118  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  that  a  committe  of  7  be  appointed  to  revise  the  27  sec  on  Free 
Masonry. 

On  motion  resolved  that  the  minutes  of  Gen  Conference  be 
not  published  in  the  R  Telescope  as  a  sufficient  from  the  daily 
reports  will  be  published  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  general 
readers.  ( carried ) 

PAGE  119  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  that  the  Book  committe  shall  examine  H  G  Spayth's  manu- 
script of  C  History  and,  that  said  committe  shall  have  discretionary  power 
to  receive  said  History  and  negotiate  with  said  Spayth  for  the  Copy  right. 

PAGE  121.  OF  RECORD. 

J  Markwood  presented  to  Conference  his  minority  report  on 
secret  combinations,  in  words  as  follows 

Dear  Brethren 

Whereas  I  do  not  believe  it  to  be  any  part  of  the  prerogative  of  an 
ecclesiastical  body  to  legislate  in  regard  to  what  may  be  called  secret  com- 
bination or  secret  societies  Etc,  and  from  the  fact  furthermore  that  I  con- 


26  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1849. 

ceive,  that  if  this  General  Conference  is  determined  to  and  will  have  some- 
thing in  the  way  of  law,  in  regard  to  secret  combinations,  secret  Societies 
Etc,  That  we  already  have  all  that  I  believe  necessary.  Reference  to  Dis- 
cipline 7  Edition  page  66.  sec  27.  Caption  Free  Masonry. 

On  motion  Resolved— It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  General 
Conference  to  examine  the  administration  of  each  annual  con- 
ference, whether  they  have  strictly  observed  the  rules  and  pre- 
served the  moral  principles  of  the  discipline  in  all  their  trans- 
actions.    ( carried ) 

On  motion  a  Resolution  touchino-  the  Va  Annual  Conference 
as  connected  with  slavery  proposing  the  ridding  of  themselves 
of  this  sin  in  two  years,  was  presented  and  laid  on  the  table. 

PAGE  122  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolution  relative  to  the  Va  Conf,  was  called  up  and  re- 
fered  to  a  committee. 

PAGE  124  OF  JOURNAL. 

Resolved  that  the  following  be  inserted  as  law  appended  to  Section 
28,  viz. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our  ministers  in  charge  of  a  Circuit 
Station,  or  Mission,  that  any  of  its  members  hold  slave  or  slaves  they  shall 
admonish  such  members  to  manumit  such  slave  or  slaves,  and  if  such 
persons  do  not  take  measures  to  carry  out  the  discipline  they  shall  be  ex- 
pelled by  the  proper  authorities  of  the  Church,  as  the  case  may  be,  and 
any  minister  refusing  to  attend  to  the  duties  above  described  shall  be  dealt 
with  by  the  authorities  to  which  he  is  amenable. 

Provided,  however,  that  this  clause  of  discipline  is  not  so  construed  as  to 
favor  merciless  acts,  towards  such  as  helpless  children,  cripples,  and  per- 
sons of  age. 

On  motion  Proviso  struck  off. 

PAGE  12.5  OF  JOURNAL. 

Rcsolrcil  that  tlie  Congregation  in  Baltimore  be  recognized  as  members 
under  their  name  and  Charter. 

Yeuft.  Russel,  Hanby,  PeHey,  Roop,  Gingerich,  Erb,  Miller,  Fohl, 
Resler,  Spracklin,  Spayth.  Bright,  Ambrose,  Lopp,  Stover,  Witt,  Thomas, 
Hoobler.     lit. 

Xai/s.  Markwood,  Baclitel.  Burtner,  Steward,  Todd,  Montgomery, 
IvlijiH'liart.  Davis.  Kunder,  Bonebrake,  Richardson,  Hershey,  Griflith.     13. 

On  motion  Ya.  Conference  considered  as  passed  on  its  exami- 
nation. 

On  motion  licsolfcd  that  there  be  an  examination  of  all  the 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1849.  27 

Conferences  —  Pa  Conf.  charged  for  having  Distilleries,  and  in 
view  of  explanation  &  promise  to  carry  out  the  principles  of 
the  church  passed. 

H  Burtner  charge,  accused  the  Miami  Conf  for  indulging 
secret  combinations  —  or  associations. 

Resolved,  that  in  the  estimation  of  this  G.  Conf  the  members  of  the 
Miami  Conference  in  general  did  not  use  their  infivience  against  secret 
combinations  as  required  by  discipline. 

PAGE  130  OF  JOURNAL. 

ARDENT    SPIRITS. 

Distilling,  vending,  and  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage 
shall  hereafter  be  forbidden  throughout  our  Society.  Should 
any  Preacher,  Exhorter,  Leader  or  Layman  be  engaged  in  dis- 
tilling vending  or  using  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage.  He  shall 
be  accountable  to  the  class,  the  Quarterly,  or  annual  conference 
to  which  he  belongs. 

PAGE  133  OF  JOURNAL. 

Constitution  of  the  Society,  called  the  Benevolent  Society  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  as  altered  and  amended  by  Gen- 
eral Conference  May  25.  1849. 

Art.  I.    This  society  is  to  oe  known,  etc. 

PAGE  1.3G  OF  JOURNAL. 

Sec  27  pp  66.     Free  Masonry,  Keport  adoj^ted  as  follows. 

Free  Masonry  in  every  sense  of  the  word  shall  be  totally  prohibited  and 
there  shall  be  no  connection  with  secret  combinations.  A  secret  combina- 
tion is  one  tvhose  initiatory  ceremohy  or  bond  of  union  is  a  secret.  And 
any  member  found  connected  with  such  society  shall  be  affectionately  ad- 
monished twice  or  thrice,  by  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  if  such  member 
does  not  desist  in  a  reasonable  time  he  shall  be  notified  to  appear  before 
the  tribunal  to  which  he  is  amenable,  and  if  he  still  refuses  to  desist  shall 
be  expelled  from  the  church. 

PAGE  137  OF  JOURNAL. 

ADMONITION. 

Dress.  Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  by  the  apostle  has  com- 
manded us  not  to  be  conformed  to  this  world  Rom  12.  2  and  by 
the  Apostle  James  commands  us  to  "lay  apart  all  filthiness  and 
superfluity  of  naughtiness"  Jas  1  C  21  V.  And  the  principles 
of  the  Christian  religion  as  taught  both  by  the  precept  and 


28  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1S53. 

example  of  the  meek  and  adorable  Savior  are  in  strict  and 
perfect  accordance  with  these  commandments. 

AVe  therefore  humbly  beseex?h  and  admonish  the  members  of 
onr  churcli,  both  male  and  female,  to  observe  these  divine 
precepts,  in  buying  and  making  and  wearing  of  apjDarel,  also 
the  cutting  and  wearing  of  the  hair,  especially  our  ministers 
and  their  families,  they  being  ensamples  to  the  flock. 

No  further  business  Conference  adjourned. 

J  Montgomery  )  o       j     ■ 
A  CoHO  \  ^<'''>-''^« >■'<'''' 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1853. 
PAGE  143  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  it  M-as  resolved  that  the  discipline  be  read,  and 
D  Shuck  was  appointed  reader. 

On  motion  the  name  Pfremer  was  changed  to  Pfrimer,  page  7. 

Resolved  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  conference  any  brother  who  may 
pubHcly  or  privately  contend  for  any  one  mode  of  baptism  as  being  essen- 
tial to  the  ordinance  to  the  exclusion  of  other  modes  now  in  use  in  the 
church,  violates  the  principles  of  compromise  agreed  upon  by  the  Fathers 
of  the  Church,  and  makes  himself  guilty  of  traducing  liis  brethren  and 
furthermore  where  baptism  is  known  to  have  been  lawfully  administered 
to  one  who  may  apply  for  baptism  in  adult  age  he  of  our  ministers  who 
administers  baptism  in  such  a  case  shall  be  regarded  as  departing  from  a 
l)roper  respect  for  God's  ordinances  and  shall  be  tried  accordingly. 

H    KUMLER 

J  C  Bright 
J  Markwood 

A  motion  was  made  for  indefinite  j^ostponement  by  A  Owen, 
which  carried. 

On  motion  of  H  Kumler,  Brnolrcd,  that  in  the  opinion  of 
this  Conference  Boehm  never  was  found  to  intimate  that  those 
baptized  l>y  Otterbein  should  be  baptized  over  again. 

On  motion  of  J  J  Glossbrenner,  this  motion  was  amended  by 
striking  all  out  after  resolved  and  substituting  the  following. 

That  in  the  opinion  of  this  conference  that  it  is  contrary  to  the  spirit 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  for  a  minister  of  our  church  to  speak 
lightly,  either  publicly  or  privately,  of  any  form  of  Baptism  practiced  by 
his  brethren. 

The  moticui  in  its  ciuiended  form  was  ado])tod. 


GKNEKAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1853.  29 

PAGE  147  OF  JOURNAL. 

J  Lopp  presented  a  petition  praying  that  provision  be  made 
for  a  lay  delegation  in  onr  chnrcli,  read  and  refered  to  the  Com- 
mitte  on  Petitions  and  Memorials. 

PAGE  148  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  reading  of  the  discipline  was  continued,  and  on  motion 
of  I  Potter  the  following  Kesolution  —  That  the  word  (lepra r if y 
on  page  25  Question  7th  be  erased;  and  that  the  following- 
question  be  inserted  immediately  before  it,  viz 

Do  you  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  Natural,  hereditary,  total 
depravity  as  held  by  the  Church? 

J  C  Bright  moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  clause,  "  as 
held  hij  ihe  cJiurch.''     Lost. 

Bro  Terrel  moved  that  the  resolution  be  laid  on  the  table — 
lost. 

Bro  Slight  proposed  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  word 
"iofar.     Lost. 

Bro  Yardaman  moved  to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the 
resolution  on  depravity  until  next  Friday  morning.     Carried. 

PAGE  149  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  committe  on  Petitions  and  Memorials  reported  as  fol- 
lows,— We  your  committe  on  memorials  and  petitions  beg  leave 
to  report  on  Petition  2d  touching  lay  delegation,  that  (for  us) 
obvious  and  sufficient  reasons,  we  cannot  grant  the  petitioners 
their  request.     On  motion  the' report  was  received. 

On  motion  for  adoption  it  was  moved  by  J  Lawrence  to 
amend  as  follows,  "ore  not  pvepared  at  presenf  io.'"  The 
amendment  carried,  and  the  report  on  the  adoption  in  its 
amended  form  carried. 

PAGE  154  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  question  on  natural,  inherent  and  total  depravity  as  set 
for  this  morning  was  called  for,  and  on  motion  for  adoption  dis- 
cussion was  elicted  from  I  Potter,  H  Kumler,  J  Markwood,  A 
Owen,  L  S  Chittenden,  J  Fetterhoff,  D  Edwards.  Those  op- 
posed to  the  adoption,  Griffith,  Vardaman,  Sellers,  Terrell,  Hill, 
Byrd,  Russell  and  others. 


30  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1853. 

11^  o'clock.     Prayer  by  S.  Dresback. 

1  o'clock  conference  met.     Prayer  by  GB  Keimel. 

The  discussion  on  the  Kesolution  which  occupied  the  at- 
tention of  the  Conference  in  the  forenoon  continued,  in  which 
a  number  partook,  pro  &  con. 

PAGE  157  OF  JOURNAL. 

J  J  Glossbrenner  moved  to  amend  the  Kesolution  on  de- 
pravity by  adding  the  following  amendment — 1  By  depravity  is 
meant,  not  guilt,  nor  liability  to  punishment;  but  the  absence 
of  holiness;  which  therefore  unfits  a  man  for  heaven. 

2d  By  nainrcd  is  meant  that  man  is  born  with  this  absence 
of  holiness. 

3d  By  heredifarjj  is  meant  that  this  unholy  state  is  in- 
herited from  Adam. 

4  By  fofdl  is  not  meant  that  a  man  or  child  cannot  become 
more  unholy,  or  that  he  is  irrecoverably  unholy,  nor  that  he 
is  a  mass  of  corruption;  but  that  this  absence  of  holiness  must 
be  predicated  of  all  the  faculties  and  powers  of  the  soul. 

Russel  proposed  to  amend  the  amendment  as  follows — "And 
none  of  our  preachers  shall  extend  the  meaning  further  than  is 
warranted  by  this  definition.     Lost. 

The  original  amendment  was  then  carried. 

PAGE  158  OP  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  of  J  Lawrence  the  word  "tofftV  was  stricken  out 
of  the  resolution  on  depravity,  and  the  exjjlanation,  and  sub- 
stituted the  word  "■complcie.'" 

On  motion  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called  on  the  resolution 
on  depravity  and  resulted  as  follows  —  Yeas  23  Nays  19. 

Resolved  That  Bros  H  G  Spayth,  H  Kuniler  Hen  and  Joseph  Huffman 
be  reiiuested  to  say  whether  the  doctrine  of  the  Resohition  on  natural, 
inherent,  total  depravity  was  recognized  and  preached  by  the  church  in 
the  days  of  Otterbein  and  others  in  the  sense  and  meaning  as  presented  by 
the  friends  of  said  resolution. 

2d  Resolved  that  the  statement  of  these  brethren  be  entered  upon  the 
Conference  Journal  and  also  be  published  in  the  Telescope  in  connection 
with  the  discussion  of  Conference,  ui)on  said  resolution. 

Lost.  A  Sellers 

F  R  S  Bykd 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1853,    1857.  31 

PAGE  180  OF  JOURNAL. 

Course  of  Reading  and  Study,  For  Licentiate  Preachers 
upon  which  they  shall  be  examined  by  the  several  Annual 
Conferences  to  which  they  belong, 

FIRST    YEAR 

Bible  Doctrine 

Human  Depravity,  the  atonement,  Redemption,  Repentance; 

Justification  by  Faith,  Regeneration;  Adoption,  The  Witness 

of  the   Spirit;    Christian    Perfection.       Possibility   of    Final 

Apostasy. 

^-^■'  PAGE  181  OF  JOURNAL. 

SECOND    YEAR. 

Bible  Doctrines. 

Existence  and  attributes  of  God;  Divinity  and  Humanity 
of  Christ.  .  .  .  Resurrection  of  the  Body,  Future  General 
Judgment,  Eternal  Rewards  and  Punishments. 

THIRD    YEAR. 

I 

Bible  InsiHuiions. 

The  Christian  Sabbath,  the  Lords  Supj^er;  Christian  Bap- 
tism. 

PAGE  187  OF  JOURNAL. 

John  Lawrence  )    c*       ^     • 
JMtGoMERY        [    Secretaries. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1857. 
PAGE  189  OF  JOURNAL. 

Pursuant  to  previous  appointment  the  General  [Conference] 
of  the  U  Brethren  in  Christ,  assembled  at  First  church  of  the 
U  B  C,  Cincinnati  Ohio.  May  12th  1857. 

On  motion  it  was  resolved  that  there  be  chosen  two  English 
secretaries  and  one  German,  and  upon  balloting,  J  Montgomery 
and  J.  Markwood  were  chosen  English  secretaries  and  [Julius] 
Degmire,  German. 


32  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1857. 

On  motion  Bcsoh-cil  that  there  be  procured  two  reporters, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  minutes  be  published  in  pam- 
phlet form,  and  that  the  reports  be  published  in  the  columns 
of  the  BcllgioKS  Tclescoj^e  ond  Boischafier. 

On  motion  it  was  resolved  that  the  discipline  be  read,  and, 
on  motion  "W  Davis  was  chosen  to  read. 

PAGE  190  91  OF  JOURNAL. 

Reading  resumed. 

D  Shrader  moved  that  an  explanation  be  made  of  the  Con- 
fession of  faith,  in  regard  to  the  Ordinance  of  Ba^jtism,  as  to 
whom  it  shall  be  administered  to,  or  upon  whom  it  is  incum- 
bent etc  to  practice. 

PAGE  192  OF  JOURNAL. 

(from  bishops'  address.) 

"We  Avould  earnestly  recommend  that  there  be  no  change  in 
the  discipline  touching  secret  societies,  and  slavery.  And  we 
see  no  good  reason  why  these  subjects  should  be  agitated  at 
this  session.  It  is  fondly  hoi:)ed  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant 
when  we  will  not  only  be  practically  free  from  these  evils;  but 
that  there  will  be  none  found  to  advocate  them  in  our  connec- 
tion. We  do  not  think  that  many  changes  in  our  discipline  as 
it  now  stands  is  required.  A  few  items  may  be  rendered  more 
cleap  in  order  to  secure  as  far  as  possible  a  uniformity  of  action. 

PAGE  193  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  Besolrcd,  that  the  report  of  the  reporters  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Editors  of  the  Bclinioii^i  Telescope  and  Bot- 
sclidffcr  for  their  approval  and  correction. 

The  chair  announced  the  unfinished  business  of  the  first  day 
to  be  th(^  nu>tion  of  D  Shrader  asking  an  explanation  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith  in  its  clause  relating  to  baptism,  and  as  to 
whether  or  not,  infant  children  are  proper  subjects  for  this 
ordinance.  Moved  to  be  referred  to  committee  on  revision. 
Lawrence  moved  that  the  motion  to  refer  to  committee  be  in- 
definitely postponed — Carried. 


GKNKRAL    COxNFERENCE    OF    1857.  33 

Vardamaii  moved  to  postpone  indefinitely  the  original  motion. 
After  some  discussion  the  motion  to  postpone  was  withdrawn 
and  the  original  left  in  the  possession  of  the  Conference. 

PAGE  19i  OF  JOURNAL. 

AFTERNOON   SESSION. 

Bishop  Edwards  in  the  chair. 

The  chair  reminded  the  delegates  that  they  should  be  guarded 
against  personal  reflections  in  debate  of  questions  in  contro- 
versy, and  also  that  Kules  of  order  should  be  particularly 
respected  and  observed. 

J  J  Glossbrenner  moved  to  amend  D  Shrader's  motion  (in 
possession  of  the  Conference)  relative  to  infant  Baptism  by 
saying  that  in  the  judgment  of  this  General  Conference  the 
spirit  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  uniform  course  of  the 
U  Brethren  Church  in  the  past  recognize  infant  as  well  as  adult 
Baptism  though  administered  in  different  forms  as  being  valid. 

C  ^\  Witt  moved  a  second  amendment  to  the  original  motion 
saying,  "That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Conference,  infant 
baptism  is  understood  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  minis- 
ters and  parents  in  the  church  to  practice  or  not,  as  they  may 
[or]  can  conscientiously  choose,  in  the  same  liberal  way  as  the 
adult  believer  is  allowed  to  choose  the  mode  of  baptism." 

After  lengthy  discussion  on  motion  of  J  Lawrence  the  orig- 
inal motion,  with  the  amendments,  was  voted  to  postponement 
indefinitely. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  on  motion  to  postponement 
stood  as  follows — 

Yeas.  Babcoke,  Biddle,  Bowser,  Brazee,  Brewer,  Bowman,  Corbon 
Crider,  W  Davis,  Dick,  Erb,  Flinchbaugh,  Gillispie,  Griffith,  Hanway' 
Kenoyer,  Kern,  Lawrence,  W  Miller,  Raber,  Resler,  Russel,  Scholler' 
Zeller,  Stamm,  Steigerwalt,  Shuck,  Sitman,  Slight,  Vardaman,  Wilkinson' 
Ferine.    33.  ' 

Nays.  Glossbrenner,  L  Davis,  Bachtel,  Bright,  J  Carter,  C  Carter 
Chittanden,  Coursey,  Hoobler,  Hopkins,  Kumler,  Lindsav,  Markwood' 
Montgomery,  Rathbun,  Shepler,  Shrader,  W  C  Smith,  Thomas,  J  P 
Shuey,  W  J  Shuey,  W  J  Stearns,  Weaver,  Witt.    24. 

On  motion  of  J.  Lawrence  the  last  paragraph  in  the  confes- 
sion of  Faith  was  referred  to  the  committe  on  revision. 


34  GENKRAL    COVFK];ENCE   OF    1S57. 

PAGE  11).')  OP  JOURXAL. 

The  chair  announced  the  business  of  the  conference  to  be  the 
reading  of  discipline  —Reading  resumed. 

H  Kunder  moved  that  the  tirst  article  in  the  consiHuiion,  be 
referred  to  the  committe  on  revision  for  the  purpose  of  being 
considered  as  to  the  i)ropriety  of  submitting  it  to  the  church 
for  the  asking  of  its  continuance,  or  its  cIkiikjc  as  the  case  may- 
be.     Lay  delegation  being  particularly  the  thing  of  reference. 

PAGE  198  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  second  calling  by  the  chair  the  committe  on  revision 
of  the  discipline  reported  to  the  following  effect, — 

1st.  That  Frederick  in  connection  with  Kemp  and  in  mention  with  the 
appointment  of  a  conference  held  in  Sejjt  1800  — see  page  6  — continue  in 
the  book  of  Disciphne  as  it  is,  viz  Frederick  Kemp. 

On  motion  adopted. 

2d.  That  the  term  "  tin's  respect "  in  the  last  period  of  the  "  Confession  of 
Faith"  be  struck  out  of  that  connection  and  this  term  ''tliese  resjx'cts'"  be 
inserted  in  its  stead. 

On  motion  adopted. 

.3d  That  at  the  present  it  would  [not]  be  advisable  to  submit  the  "consti- 
tution" to  the  laity  for  the  vote  relative  thereto  with  a  view  to  the  modifl- 
cation  of  it,  or  of  any  part  of  it. 

On  motion  recommitted  to  the  committee  with  advice  to  a 
favorable  report,  or  else  a  reason  for  the  reverse. 

Moved  by  Vardaman  that  motions  to  recommit  be  taken 
without  discipline — lost. 

Moved  by  A  A  Sellers  that  should  any  of  our  preachers,  or 
members,  speak  disrespectfully  of  infant  baptism  they  shall  be 
considered  guilty  of  traducing  their  brethren  and  shall  be 
held  accountable  for  the  same — lost. 

On  motion  of  J  Bachtel,  Resolved  that  whereas  a  difference 
o])ini()n  has  existed  in  the  past,  and  continues  to  exist  among 
us  as  a  church  uijoii  the  subject  of  baptism  both  as  respects  the 
mode  and  the  [manner]  and  that  both  ministers  and  members, 
be  and  [are]  hereby  prohibited  from  speaking  disrespectfully 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1857.  35 

of  each  others  oi)inions  and  i^ractice  of  this  ordinance  and  its 
modes,  and  should  any  minister  or  member  violate  this  pro- 
hibition he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  respective  official  body 
to  which  he  is  amenable  as  a  minister  or  member  of  the 
church  and  shall  be  considered  censurable.     Which  carried. 

PAGE  201  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  committee  oq  revision  beg  leave  to  report  on  Article  1st  Sec  1st  of 
the  Constitution,  The  following  paper  for  adoption. 

This  Conference  recognizes  the  Church  as  the  source  of  all  ecclesiastical 
authority.  The  ministers  are  but  the  servants  of  the  Church.  Thus  far  it 
has  pleased  the  Church  to  elect  its  delegates  to  General  Conference  from 
among  the  elders,  local  or  traveling. 

The  election  of  these  delegates  is  effected  directly  by  the  votes  of  the 
whole  church,  and  as  a  matter  of  course  the  ministers  have  scarcely  any 
voice  at  all  in  the  choice  made.  This  arrangement  it  has  been  generally 
believed  thus  far  fairly  disposes  of  the  ecclesiastical  power  of  our  society. 
It  is  an  arrangement  peculiar  to  the  United  Brethren  economy;  and  al- 
though it  does  not  secure  lay  delegation  it  does  secure,  in  our  opinion,  a 
degree  of  lay  influence  and  lay  control  which  is  not  possessed  by  those 
Churches  which  [have]  a  lay  delegation.  No  other  church  having  an  Itiner- 
ant ministry  elects  its  delegates  by  a  popular  vote  of  the  whole  church.  Some 
churches  have  provided  that  their  General  Conferences  shall  be  composed 
of  clerical  and  lay  delegates.  The  former  to  be  chosen  by  the  preachers 
themselves,  and  the  latter  by  the  members  themselves;  but  none  are 
chosen  by  a  direct  popular  vote. 

The  Quarterly  Conferences  in  some  Churches  elect  lay  delegates  to  the 
annual  Conferences,  [and  these]  elect  lay  delegates  to  the  General 
Conferences.  Now  should  our  church  prefer  to  elect  a  lay  delega- 
tion, and  authorize  the  Annual  Conferences  to  elect  a  ministerial  dele- 
gation, we  should  most  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  arrangement  although 

PAGE  202  OF  JOURNAL. 
< 

it  is  our  opinion  that  the  present  plan  secures  to  the  members  of  the 
church  a  more  direct,  and  consequently,  a  more  salutary  control  of  the 
General  Conferences. 

Up  to  this  time,  lT£)wever,  nothing  like  a  general  wish  has  been  expressed 
by  the  church  for  any  change  in  its  polity  on  this  point.  There  is  before 
us  no  petition,  memorial,  resolution  of  quarterly  conference,  or  other  paper 
expressive  of  desire  for  such  change.  No  delegate  has  come  here  under 
written  instructions  to  propose  such  a  change.  Now,  although  we  do  not 
decide  whether  such  a  change  is  advisable  we  have  too  much  respect  for 
the  members  of  the  Church  to  take  the  initiatory  step  in  a  movement 
which  so  directly  affects  their  rights. 

Chittenden  moved  to  amend  the  first  item  by  saying  no  dele- 
gate had  come  to  this  Conference  under  official  instructions,  etc. 


36  GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1857. 

Lindsey  moved  to  say  that  no  delegate  had  come  to  this  con- 
ference with  written  instructions,  which  carried,  and  on  motion, 
the  item  specified,  with  the  amenchnent  of  Lindsay  was  adopted. 

Bishop  Edwards  moved  to  amend  the  report  by  striking  out 
the  last  paragraph  therein.     Carried. 

PAGE  206  OF  JOURNAL. 

We  Your  conimitte  on  revision  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report 
on  section  5  of  discipline — Question  1  answer  7. 

Resolved  that  this  question  with  its  note  be  expunged  from  discipline 
and  that  the  following  be  inserted  in  this  place. 

Do  you  believe  that  man,  abstract  of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  fallen  from  original  righteousness  and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of 
holiness;  but  is  inclined  to  evil  and  only  evil  and  that  continually? 

PAGE  207  OF  JOURNAL. 

Moved  to  adopt  item  first,  —  Moved  to  amend  by  subjoining 
the  words  "  and  that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see 
the  kingdom  of  God." 

On  motion  the  item  moved  to  be  thus  amended  was  adopted. 

PAGE  217  OF  JOURNAL. 

Committee  on  General  superintendency  Reported.  1.  We 
recommend  that  wherever  the  terras  Bishop  or  Bishops  occur 
in  the  discipline  they  be  stricken  out  and  the  terms  superin- 
tendent and  superintendents  be  inserted. 

PAGE  218  OF  JOURNAL. 

« 

On  motion  first  item  ruled  out. 

PAGE  242  OF  JOURNAL. 

J.  B.  Resler  presented  to  the  conference  for  consideration 
the  following  as  a  substitute  for  the  present  clause  in  discipline 
on  secret  societies;  viz 

There  shall  be  no  connection  with  secret  combinations  and  any  rnember 
found  connected  with  such  combination  shall  be  affectionately  admonished 
twice  or  three  times  by  the  preacher  in  charge  and  if  such  member  do 
not  desist  he  shall  [be  cited]  before  the  tribunal  to  which  he  is  amenable  and 
if  he  still  refuse  to  desist  he  shall  be  expelled  from  the  church. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1801.  37 

GENEEAL  CONEEEENCE  OF  1861. 

PAGE  255  OF  JOURNAL. 

Committes  on  Eevision  of  Discipline  1st  Division,  ending 
with  section  9.     Kumler  Eesler,  Warner,  Titns  and  Todd. 

PAGE  260  OP  JOURNAL. 

Resolved.  "  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Conference  that  Article 
I  Section  1  of  the  Constitution  commencing  at  the  word  "  Provided,"  is  to 
be  understood  that  an  elder  must  be  a  member  of  the  Annual  Conference 
three  years  before  the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference  in  order  to  elligi- 
bility  to  an  election  as  delegate  to  that  body." 

PAGE  2G1  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  "order  of  the  day"  which  was  the  Eesolntion  expressive 
of  the  sense  of  the  Conference  on  Art  I.  Sec  1  of  the  constitu- 
tion was  taken  up,  discussed,  and  the  Eesolntion  was  adopted. 

PAGE  2G2  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  Committee  on  Memorials  reported  as  follows: — 

1  There  was  placed  in  our  hands  a  petition  asking  for  lay  delegation  in 
all  legislative  and  deliberative  bodies,  signed  by  Elah  Shauck  and  George 
Hiskey  of  Sandusky.  Upon  which  we  rejnark  that  said  petition  cannot  be 
granted  constitutionally,  so  far  as  legislative  bodies  are  concerned.  See 
Constitution  Art  I  Sec  1.  If  however  the  General  Conference  sees  proper 
to  grant  a  lay  delegation  in  Annual  Conferences  we  know  nothing  in  our 
law  which  forbids  it:  but  suggest  that  such  an  arrangement  would  increase 
a  burden  without  any  result  of  good. 

Eeferred  to  a  special  Committee  of  Five  on  Lay-delegation 
with  instruction  to  consider  the  propriety  of  amendments  to 
the  Constitution  to  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  peoj^le. 

PAGE  287  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  Committe  on  Lay  Delegation  made  rej^ort  which  was 
taken  up  and  adopted  as  follows 

Whereas  no  considerable  portion  of  the  laity  of  our  Church  have  signi- 
fied any  desire  for  a  change  delegation  and 

Whereas  We  are  not  satisfied  that  such  a  change  would  conduce  to  the 
peace  and  welfare  of  our  branch  of  the  Zion  of  God,  therefore 

Resolved.  That  we  take  no  further  action  in  this  matter,  further  than 
to  say  we  are  willing  to  receive  and  duly  consider  memorials  when  they  are 
presented. 


38  GE^^ERAL    CONFERExNCE   OF    1865. 

PAGE  290  OF  JOURNAL. 
(  IMPEACHMENT.  ) 

An  appeal  from  the  action  of  the  Sandusky  Conference  of 
1858  in  relation  to  certain  persons  charged  with  belonging  to 
the  Free  Masons  was  read  and  laid  upon  the  table  nntil  the 
"order  of  the  day"  is  disposed  of. 

PAGE  29i  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  following  resolution  was  introduced  and  laid  on  the 
table  indefinitely: — 

Resolved.  That  tlie  resolution  which  passed  at  Cincinnati  O  four  years 
ago,  on  Baptism,  be  now  reaffirmed  and  placed  in  discipline  between  tlie 
confession  of  Faith  and  the  constitution. 

Yeas  .35.     Nays  31. 

PAGE  298  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  a  petition  for  Lay  delegation  from  certain  persons 
on  Pleasant  Hill  circuit,  Miami  Conference  was  read. 

On  motion  the  petition  was  laid  on  the  table  indefinitely  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  it  came  too  late,  the  conference  having 
already  taken  action  on  the  subject  of  lay  delegation.  The 
Yeas  and  Nays  were  demanded,  and  taken  as  follows  —  Yeas  26. 
Nays  25. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1865. 

PAGE  .307  OP  JOURNAL. 

Rcrisioii  No  1.  (Embracing  Sec.  1  to  7  of  Discipline,  in- 
clusive. )     Warner,  Nickey,  Hill,  S.  Kretsinger,  Yonneida. 

PAGE  317  OF  JOURNAL. 

COURSE    OF    HEADING    AND    STUDY. 

Fiisl   \'('(ii:      />il)lc   Doclriiic. 

Human  Depravity,  the  Atonement,  Redemption,  Repentance, 
Justification  by  Faith,  Regeneration,  Adoption,  Witness  of  the 
Spirit,  Christian  Perfection,  Possil)ility  of  Final  Apostasy. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1869.  39 

Second  Year.     Bible  Doctrine. 

Eesiirrection  of  tlie  Body;  Future  General  Judgment;  Eter- 
nal Rewards  and  Punisliment. 

Third  Yem:     Bible  Insfifufions. 

The  Christian  Sabbath;  The  Lord's  Supper;  Christian  Bap- 
tism. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1869. 

PAGE  35i  OF  JOURNAL. 

The  chair  announced  the  following  committees: 

Revision  No  1  from  Sec  III  fa  VII  Inclusive. 

W.  B.  Dick,  J.  Montgomery,  J.  Scammahorn,  W.  Jacobs,  W.  Miller. 

PAGE  UO  OF  JOURNAL. 

Whereas,  Much  agitation  and  difference  of  opinion  prevail  in  this  body 
and  throughout  the  church  in  regard  to  our  prohibitory  law  on  secret 
societies,  whereby  the  quiet  and  peace  of  the  church  are  disturbed;  and 

Whereas,  The  General  Conference  has  no  constitutional  power  to  change 
or  modify  said  law  so  as  to  make  it  less  than  prcjliihitofij;  therefore. 

Resolved,  1  By  the  General  Conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  assembled  at  Lebanon  Pennsylvania  May  20.  1869,  That  in  view  of 
the  Republican  form  of  our  church  government  in  which  the  power  to 
settle  all  constitutional  questions  is  vested  in  the  popular  will  of  the 
membership;  and  in  view  of  the  general  interest  and  diversity  of  senti- 
ment among  our  people,  we  deem  it  expedient  and  wise  that  this  question 
be  referred  directly  to  our  people  for  decision. 

Resolved,  further.  That  the  vote  .of  the  Church  on  the  question  as  here- 
inafter provided  shall  he  taken  throughout  the  denomination  during  the 
month  of  June,  1872,  under  such  forms  and  regulations,  as  the  Board  of 
Bishops  shall  prescribe,  as  shall  secure  a  full  vote  and  an  affirmative  or 
negative  answer  from  each  member  votmg,  to  the  question  — "  Shall  the 
words,  '■There  shall  he  no  connection  loith  secret  combinations,''  be  stricken 
out  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,"  so  as  to  make  it  advisory? 

Resolved,  further;  That  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  untimely  further 
agitation  on  this  subject,  we  order  that  the  Columns  of  the  Religious  Tele- 
scope and  Froehliche  Botschafter  shall  not  be  ojjen  for  its  discussion  before 
the  1st  of  January  1872.  Z.  Warner, 

S.  J.  Graham. 

A  motion  was  made  to  lay  the  foregoing  on  the  table. 

Yeas  and  nays  called  for. 

Yeas  43.     Nays  42.     This  vote  laid  the  paper  on  the  Table. 


40  GENERAL    CONFERENCE   OF    1873. 

GENEKAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1873. 
PAGE  456  OF  JOURNAL. 

[committee]         lay  representation. 

I  K  Statton,  Win  Jacobs,  J  Scammahorn.  J  Carter.  J  N  Martin,  G  Plow- 
man, M  P  Doyle,  J  W  Howe,  M  S  Schwhnley. 

ON   REVISION. 

COMMITTEE    NO.    I. 

On  Revision  from  Section  3  to  Section  8  inclusive.  ' 

A.  L.  Best,  E.  Fothergill,  J.  M.  Poulton,  W.  E.  Bay,  R.  Thrasher.  G.  W. 
Statton.  Wm.  Bacon. 

PAGE  519  OP  JOURNAL. 

Committee  on  Revision  No  4:  further  reported. 

Z.  A.  Colestock  moved  to  amend  section  22  as  follows.  Pro- 
vided further,  That  this  rule  shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to 
ajjply  to  any  other  than  Masonic  Societies. 

W.  Dillon  incjuired  whether  the  amendment  is  not  in  conflict 
with  the  constitution  of  the  church. 

D.  Shuck  moved  that  the  point  of  order  was  well  taken. 
The  yeas  and  Nays  were  called  for  with  the  following  result. 

Yeas  and  Nays  on  Dillon's  well-taken  position  on  the  amend- 
ment of  Colestock  conflicting  with  the  Constitution. 

Yeas — Glossbrenner,  Edwards,  Weaver,  Dickson,  Ambrose,  Alwood,  AUa- 
man,  Alderman,  Bay,  Best,  Bacon,  Breeden,  Bowman,  Barnaby,  Beauchamp, 
Bishoi),  Brazee,  Baldwin,  Carter,  Connor,  Castle,  Drury,  Davis,  Dillon, 
Evans  J.  R.,  Evans  Thos.,  Fisher,  Fritz,  Greene,  Gardnei-,  Gillespie,  Grif- 
fith, Hoy,  Hager,  Healey,  Hurless,  Hallowell,  Hersiiey,  Holt,  Howe,  Ham, 
Bnnce.  Jacobs,  Kretzinger,  Luce,  Lehmasters,  Miller  W..  Millar  Wm., 
Mc'lrevv,  Mills,  Martin,  Mittendorf,  Nye.  Nickey,  Osmaii.  Plowman,  Ross, 
Sherk  D.  B.,  Sherk  A.  B.,  Shuck,  Scholler,  Smith  O.  F.,  Suiitli  W.  C, 
Smith  J.  C,  Scammahorn,  Statton  I.  K.,  Statton  G.  W.,  Simi)Son.  Thrasher, 
Tritjh,  Vandever,  Whitney,  Vardaman,  Walker,  Williams.  Wilkinson, 
Wright,  Watrous    78. 

Nujjs  -Bu\sev,  Cowgill,  Doyle,  Favour,  Booth,  Gelbacli,  Hoffman,  Garst, 
Harj)3r,  Hamilton,  Light,  Miller  D.  R.,  McKee.  Poulton,  Peters,  Rose, 
Runk,  Rigor,  Sickjifoose,  Slaughter,  Wagoner,  Warner     '2(1 

Xcittral    Speck,  Sciiwindey     2. 

PAGE  rw  OF  JOURNAL. 
LAY    RElMtESENTATION  —PETITIONERS'    NAMES. 

Tlie  petitioners  names  herein  recorded  were  given  to  forms 
SO   nearly  one  or  identical,  in  form,   as  to  make  it  uunessary 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1873.  41 

to  give  but  tlie  one  printed  or  copied  form  and  not  oblige  so 
many  repetitions  on  the  journal,  of  the  same  sense,  while  the 
loordimj  alone  is  ditferent  only.  N,  E.  Luce  Rec.  Sec. 

A  Petition. 

To  the  Honorable  General  Conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ; 
We  your  petitioners  would  resi^ectfully  pray  your  Honorable  body,  to  take 
into  consideration  the  propriety  of  Lay  Delegation  into  your  Annual  and 
■General  Conferences,  believing  it  would  be  the  most  effectual  way  to  ad- 
vance all  the  financial  interests  of  the  church,  as  well  as  the  spiritual 
work,  thereby  uniting  the  ministry  and  members  together  in  the  great 
work  of  saving  the  world  and  bringing  it  to  Christ. 

ERIE    CONFERENCE. 

No. 
French  Creek  Circuit.  [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]  -  -  -  -  16 
Port  Alleghany  Mission.      "         "       "      »  "        .        .        .        .         09 

AVilliston  Mission.  "         «       u      u  u  ....    09 

PAGE  540  OF  JOURNAL. 

INDIANA   CONFERENCE. 

White  River  Chapel.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]        -        -•        -        -     18 

KANSAS    CONFE'RENCE. 

New  Lawrence  Circuit.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]        -        -        -        26 

MIAMI    CONFERENCE. 

Millville  Station.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]            .  ...  39 

Pleasant  Hill  Circuit.     """••>        "               .        .  .        .  .60 

New  Haven  Circuit.       i^        u       u       u         u            .....  og 

Morris  Chapel.                u        a      u      u        i.               .        .  .        .  .    03 

Georgetown  Circuit.       '>        '•      ^      ^        u           .        .  _        .        _  37 

First  U  B  Church  Dayton.    [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]  -        -  -     24 

Germantown  Station.                   "        '•        41       t.        ^  ...  ng 

Miltonville  Circuit.                        "        u        u       u        u-  ...    ^l 

SCIOTO    CONFERENCE. 

Westerville  Ct.  (Miami  Conference).  [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]  -  76 
Beavertown.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]  -----         32 

MISSOURI   CONFERENCE. 

Mount  Zion  Mission.  [Names  all  given  in  Journal.]  -  -  -  -  15 
Polo  Circuit.  ^        *i  ....         14 


42 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1873. 


.MISKINGUM    eOXFEKE>X'E. 

Nameless  circuit.     [Names  all  g-iveu  in  Journal | 

Bethel  ''  

Noble  "  "        "       " 


No. 

IJr 

54 


SANDUSKY    CONFERENCE. 

Osceola  circuit.  [Names  all  j^iven  in  Journal) 

Osceola        "  "        "  " 

VanBuren  "  "        "  "          " 

Carey           "  "        "  "          "       -        - 

Beaver         " 

Beaver         "  '2d  Petition  •'  "          "       -        - 

Shilo 

Cardington  '•  "        "  "          "        -        - 


-  120 

62. 

-  29 
16 

-  26 
60 

-  44 
23 


ST.  JOSEPH  CONFERENCE. 

Zion  Class,  Clear  Creek  Circuit.   [Names  all  given  in  Journal]  -        -    68 

Roanoke                                    "             "        "            "            ''         -  -          17 

Pleasant  Chapel.Clear  Creek  "             "        "            "            "       -  -        -    36- 

Warsaw                                   "            "        "           "            •'           .  .        86 

Union  Grove.  Clear  Creek     "             "        "            "            "       -  -        -    17 


VIRGINIA    CONFERENCE. 

Virginia  Conference.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal] 

WEST    DESMOINES    CONFERENCE. 

Newton.  Council  Bluffs.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal] 
Blair  Circuit,  Neb.  "         "  "  " 


41 


19- 

22; 


WESTERN    RESERVE    CONFERENCE. 


Smitliville  Circuit.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal) 

Blackford  Class,  Ashland  Mission.     [Names  all  given  in  Journal] 


HOMELESS    1'  KTITION  ERS. 


39 

40' 


Note.     The  following  Petitions  are  without  names  of  circuit  or  confer- 
ence, and  minus  date,  beside  bad  manuscript, 

[One  Petition  with]     - 50  names. 

.-.-......  35 

---------  54 

' 38 

"        "  "  --..-....  30 

"        "  "-..-. i2 

---------  U 


GENERAL    CONFERtNCE    OF    1873.  43 

WESTERN    COLLEGE,    IOWA. 

Western  College,  Iowa,       --------        25  names. 

Total  number  of  petitioners,     ------      1,785. 

N  R  Luce  Recording  Sec 
P.  HuRLESs  Acting  Sec 
W  MiTTiNDORF  German  Sec 
1873. 

PAGE  509  OF  JOURNAL. 

I.  K.  Statton,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Lay  Delegation^ 
reported. 

PAGE  525  OF  JOURNAL. 
REPORT    or    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    LAY    DELEGATION. 

Your  Committee  on  Lay  Delegation  would  respectfully  report  the  f  I- 
lowing  — 

Whereas,  We  find  a  growing  demand,  from  the  laity  of  the  Church  for 
representation  in  the  legislative  body  of  the  church,  and  — 

Whereas,  We  as  their  representatives  elect  desire  to  comply  with  their 
petitions  requesting  this  General  Conference  to  submit  the  subject  to  a 
vote  of  the  membership,  therefore  — 

Resolved,  That  the  following  amendment  of  the  Constitution  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  vote  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  following  rules  be  adopted 
to  regulate  such  election  and  provide  for  the  proposed  amendment. 

AMENDMENT    OF    THE    CONSTITUTION. 
article  I. 

Section  1st.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted  to  enact  or  repeal 
any  law  or  rule  or  [of]  discipline  is  vested  in  a  General  Conference,  which 
shall  consist  of  elders  and  laymen  elected  in  every  Annual  Conference 
district  throughout  the  Church,  provided  such  elders  and  laymen  be 
twenty-five  years  of  age  and  shall  have  held  a  membership  of  three  years' 
standing  in  the  Conference  they  represent. 

Rules  to  regulate  the  election  of  lay  delegates  to  the  General  Conference 
and  to  provide  for  amendment  of  the  Constitution. 

1st.  That  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  November  A.  D.  187.3  each  and  every 
class  throughout  the  church  shall  assemble  at  its  regular  place  of  meeting 
and  shall  elect  two  members  who  in  connection  with  the  leader  shall  be 
Judges  of  the  election.  Then  the  judges  shall  proceed  on  the  day  afore- 
said to  hold  an  election  and  shall  count  the  votes  polled  in  the  presence  of 
those  assembled,  and  shall  take  a  list  of  all  the  names  voting,  inclose  the 
same  with  the  tally  list  in  an  envelope  and  forward  it  to  the  preacher  in 
charge,  retaining  a  copy  for  further  reference. 


44  GENERAL    CONFERENCE   OF    1873. 

2.  The  form  of  ballot  to  be  voted  shall  read,  "  For  Lay  Delegation  "  or 
"A<(ainst  Lay  Delegation  "  as  the  case  may  be. 

3.  Each  member  of  the  church  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  in  person,  pro- 
vided that  in  case  of  sickness  or  other  disability  such  persons  shall  forward 
their  ballot  with  their  name,  enclosed  in  an  envelope,  with  the  words,  ''lay 
delegation  "  written  thereon  to  distinguish  it  from  private  correspondence, 
and  forward  it  on  or' before  the  day  of  election.  Then  shall  the  judges 
open  said  letter  and  count  the  vote;  provided  that  in  no  case  shall  such 
A'otes  be  counted  after  the  day  above  mentioned. 

4.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall  receive  all  tally  lists  from  the  various 
leaders,  take  a  copy  of  the  same  and  forward  the  original  together  with  the 
number  of  members  reported  by  himself  or  his  predecessor  at  the  last  an- 
nual conference  to  the  general  tellers  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

5.  There  shall  be  three  tellers  appointed  by  this  General  Conference  to 
be  known  as  the  general  tellers  to  receive  the  reports  of  the  election  on 
Lay  Delegation  from  all  the  preachers  in  charge  of  fields  of  labor  through- 
out the  Church.  They  shall  reside  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  They  shall  publish 
in  the  Religions  Telescope  on  or  before  the  first  week  in  January  the  votes 
for  and  against  lay  delegation. 

6.  In  case  the  requisite  number  of  votes  be  cast  for  the  movement,  then 
shall  Article  first,  Section  1st  as  above  amended  be  the  law  of  the  Church, 
and  all  law  or  rules  to  the  contrary  shall  stand  repealed,  and  the  senior 
Bishop  of  the  Church  shall  make  proclamation  of  the  same. 

7.  In  case  of  such  proclamation  then  shall  the  laity  of  the  Church  be 
entitled  to  representation  in  the  General  Conference  on  the  following 
basis;  for  every  2000  members,  one  delegate;  for  every  fraction  of  1000  and 
less  than  2000  one  delegate;  provided  each  Annual  Conference  shall  have 
one  lay  delegate. 

8.  Each  Annual  Conference  shall  regulate  the  election  of  its  own  dele- 
gates, appoint  the  time  and  provide  for  making  nominations  if  laecessary; 
provided  such  election  is  held  before  its  last  session  proceeding  the  General 
Conference.  It  shall  cause  certificates  of  election  to  be  issued  to  each  dele- 
gate that  signed  by  the  Bishop  and  secretary.  It  shall  provide  for  the 
exijefises  of  delegates  and  attend  to  all  the  particula-s  relating  to  the 
election  within  the  Conference  bounds.        Respectfully  submitted. 

Committee. 

PAGE  509  OP  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  all  speeches  be  limited  to  five  minutes. 

Z.  A.  Colestock  moved  to  strike  out  the  words  "7>/.s7r/c/ "  in 
fith  line  and  ''FJldrrs''  in  the  7th  line  of  Article  I.  Section  1. 

A  motion  to  lay  the  item  of  amendment,  and  the  Article 
under  consideration  on  the  table. 

Bishop  "Weaver  offered  the   following;-  amendment  Pro- 

vided such  elders  shall  have  stood  in  that  capacity  for  at  least 
ihvvv  years,  next  i)receding  the  sittini>-  of  the  General  Confer- 


GENERAL    COMFERENCE    OF    1873.  45 

eiice,  and  such  laymen  sliall  have  been  members  of  the  Church 
at  least  six  years. 

Bishop  AVeaver  withheld  his  amendment  to  grant  a  division 
of  the  question. 

PAGE  517  OF  JOURNAL.    ■ 

J.  Scammahoru  moved  to  take  up  the  item  from  the  table 
referring  to  lay  delegation,  and  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called 
for  on  the  item  as  follows — 

All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted  to  enact  or  repeal  any  law  or  rule 
of  discipline  is  vested  in  a  General  Conference  which  shall  consist  of  elders 
a'nd  laymen  elected  in  every  conference  district  throughout  the  Church. 

LAY   DELEGATION. 

Amendment  to  the  Constitution  Article  1st,  Section  1st. 
Yeas  and  Nays. 

Ims.— Glossbrenner,  Edwards,  Weaver,  Dickson,  Ambrose,  AUaman, 
Best,  Breden,  Bowman,  Beauchamp,  Bishop,  Bunce,  Bulger,  Brazee  Bald- 
win, Carter,  Connor,  Colestock,  Castle,  Cowgill,  Drury,  Doyle,  Davis,  Dil- 
lon, Evans,  Thos.,  Evans,  J.  R.,  Favour,  Gelbach,  Greene,  Garst,  Gardner, 
Gillespie,  Griffith,  Hoy,  Hoffman,  Hill,  Hager,  Healy,  Harper,  Hallo  well, 
Hershey,  Hamilton,  Hott,  Howe,  Ham,  Light,  Luce,  Lemasters,  Miller, 
W.,  Miller,  D.  R.,  Millar,  Wm.  H.,  McGrew,  Mills  McKee,  Martin,  Mitten- 
dorf,  Nye,  Nickey,  Osmun,  Poulton,  Plowman,  Peters,  Ross,  Rose,  Rigor, 
Speck,  Sherk,  D.  B.,  Sherk,  A.  B.,  Shuck,  Schwimley,  Smith,  W.  C,  Smith, 
J.  C,  Scammahorn,  Statton,  I.  K.,  Sickafoose,  Slaughter,  Simpson, 
Thrasher,  Tibbetts,  Tritch,  Vandever,  Vardaman,  Wagoner,  Whitney, 
Walker,  Booth,  Warner,  Williams,  Wilkison,  Wright,  Watrous— 90. 

A'ai/s.— Alwood,  Alderman,  Bay,  Bacon,  Barnaby  Fritz,  Hurless,  Jacobs, 
Krtesinger,  Scholler,  Smith,  O.  F.,  Statton,  G.  W.— 12. 

PAGE  52i  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  the  Subject  of  Lay  Delegation  was  taken  up. 

W.  McKee  moved  to  amend  item  1  by  extending  the  time  to 
Nov.,  1873. 

Allaman  moved  to  further  say  October  instead  of  November. 

J.  J.  Glossbrenner  moved  that  items  1,  2,  3, 4,  5,  6,  be  laid  on 
the  table  until  item  7  be  disposed  of. 

M.  P.  Doyle  reported  on  Section  8  of  Discipline. 

PAGE  535  OF  JOURNAL. 

Section  8.  Substitute  for  it.  Provided  the  Constitutional 
amendment  prevails. 


46  GENERAL    CONFEREN"CE    OF    l87o. 

1.  The  General  Conference  shall  be  composed,  (see  constitution). 

2.  Each  annual  conference  shall  be  entitled  to  3  elders  only.  Also  one 
layman  for  every  20)0  m3mb3r3,  and  one  laymin  for  every  one  thousand 
and  loss  than  2000,  provided  that  each  conference  shall  have  one  lay 
delejiate. 

3.  They  shall  be  elected  by  the  membership  of  the  Church  within  the 
month  of  November  next  proceeding  the  General  Conference. 

4.  Each  Annual  Conference  shall  elect  3  tellers  to  receive  and  count 
the  votes  and  forward  the  result  to  the  Telescope  for  publication.  They 
shall  keep  a  list  of  all  the  votes  cast  and  of  the  names  voted  for  and  shall 
issue  certificates  of  election  to  those  receiving  the  requisite  number  of 
votes.  They  shall  receive  no  votes  after  the  1st  of  January  following  the 
election. 

f).  The  Annual  Conference  shall  at  its  se.ssion  proceeding  the  election, 
provide  for  the  expense  of  the  delegates  and  if  necessary  for  the  nomina- 
tion of  delegates.  It  shall  also  declare  the  number  of  lay  delegates  the 
conference  is  entitled  to  vote  for,  and  name  the  elders  eligible  to  be 
voted  for. 

Item  1  adopted. 

"     2  J.  A.  Alwood  moved  to  amend  by  saying  "each  annual 
conference  shall  be  entitled  to  two  elders  and  one  layman. 

H.  Garst  moved  to  amend  the  amendment  so  that  there  shall 
be  one  clerical  and  one  lay  representative  for  every  2000  mem- 
bers, and  for  every  fraction  of  1000  and  less  than  2000,  pro- 
vided that  no  conference  shall  have  less  than  one  clerical  and 
one  lay  rej^resentative.  On  motion  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
called  for,  and  are  as  follows  —  Yeas  26  Nays  70.     Neutral  1. 

The  amendment  also  lost  and  then  the  item  No  7.  wfs  passed 
without  amendment. 

PAGE  525  OP  JOURNAL. 

Moved  to  refer  all  that  portion  of  the  Committee's  report  on 
lay  delegation  not  yet  acted  upon  to  the  Board  of  Bishops. 

PAGE  528  OF  JOURNAL. 

H.  Garst  moved  that  the  last  clause  in  the  constitution  be  so 
interpreted  as  to  mean  two  thirds  of  all  that  vote. 

J.  K.  Alwood  moved  to  lay  the  matter  on  the  table.     Prevailed. 

PAGE  52  )  OP  JOURNAL. 

1).  K.  Miller  offered  the  following,  which  passed. 


GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1873.  47 

Resolved,  That  the  explicit  rendering  of  Art  IV  of  the  constitution  be 
submitted  to  the  Board  of  Bishops,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  publish 
the  same  in  the  Reb'gioiis  Teleseope. 

PAGE  538  OF  JOURNAL. 

On  motion  the  proceedings  of  this  General  Conference  be 
published  in  full  in  pamphlet  form. 


Dayton,  Ohio,  May  6,  1890. 
The  undersigned  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  extracts  are  correct 
copies  from   the  manuscript  journal  of  the  General   Conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  from  1815  to  1873  inclusive. 

M.  R.  Drury, 

For  tJie  Liberals. 
Wilbur  Wright, 

For  the  Radicals. 


DATE  DUE 


PHOTOMOUNT 
PAMPHLET  BINDER 

•AYLOAD  BROS.  Im. 
Syraeut*,  N.  Y. 

StMltmt,  CaM. 


BX9875.A5U5 

Extracts  from  the  written  journal  of  the  ' 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library  I 


\. 


^ 


